Asian carrier traffic fell steeply in February

Major carriers based in Asia are reporting steep declines in cargo demand for the month of February, compared to the same month in 2018. Although distortions can be expected when it comes to annual comparisons for the months of January or February due to the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday, this year’s declines […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 20, 2019

China Southern to add two 777Fs, a sign combination carriers are hungry for freighters?

After a four-year period during which Guangzhou-based China Southern Airlines’ twelve-unit 777F freighter fleet remained stable, growth has returned. China Southern converted an existing order with Boeing for the purchase of two 777-300ERs to the 777F freighter variant, the company announced in a notice that appeared on the Shanghai Stock Exchange today. Both aircraft will […]

• Charles Kauffman
• March 1, 2019

Cargo traffic declined in January

Almost unanimously carriers headquartered in Asia, Europe, and the Americas have begun reporting lower year-over-year cargo traffic for the month of January 2019. As can be seen from the chart at right, of the six major Asia-based carriers that have reported January traffic figures, all but one – China Airlines – have reported year-over-year declines […]

• Charles Kauffman
• February 20, 2019

New cargo startup, more freighters for China

Today, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approved the establishment of a new Chinese cargo carrier, Zhongzhou Airlines Co., Ltd., that will be based out of Zhengzhou Airport (CGO). The airport, which also serves as Cargolux’s China hub, seems to be gaining traction as a hub in the domestic Chinese cargo landscape. Zhongzhou Airlines is […]

• Chelsea Toczauer
• January 31, 2019

Air freight traffic disappoints in December first look

The disappointing November results revealed in last month’s first look were apparently a preview for an overall diminished peak season for air freight, as volumes and traffic declined across all regions. Many of the same culprits behind November’s year-over-year decline – notably an increasingly uncertain global trade environment, faltering economic performance across multiple economies, and […]

• Caryn Livingston
• January 15, 2019

CAAC unveils carrier transfer strategy as Beijing prepares for second airport

On 4 January, the CAAC released a “one city, two airports” transfer scheme that further refines airport assignments for Chinese carriers as Beijing prepares to become a dual hub city. Beijing Daxing International Airport (BJB), located 50 kilometers to the south of central Beijing, is set to open in September. Once operational, Daxing is expected […]

• Chelsea Toczauer
• January 7, 2019

More mixed results in September traffic first look

When many of the world’s major airports and carriers released August performance metrics, the air freight industry seemed to be rebounding from the slowdown in cargo earlier this year. Now that September results are in from some of the world’s big carriers, handlers, and airports, however, August’s rebound seems tentative at best, as operators are […]

• Chelsea Toczauer
• October 22, 2018

The world’s top 50 cargo carriers of 2017

Last year when we analyzed the top 50 cargo carriers of 2016, we noted FedEx’s runaway cargo traffic growth through its acquisition of TNT, which further drove a wedge between FedEx and the number two contender for highest total cargo traffic, Emirates. However, a year can make quite a difference, and what an eventful year […]

• Caryn Livingston
• August 9, 2018