Air cargo records marginal growth amid restriction withdrawal

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released data for global air cargo markets showing that demand increased in February despite a challenging operating backdrop.

Several factors benefitted air cargo in February compared to January. On the demand side, manufacturing activity ramped up quickly after the early February Lunar New Year holiday.

Capacity was positively influenced by the general and progressive relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions, reduced flight cancellations due to Omicron-related factors (outside of Asia), and fewer winter weather operational disruptions.

Global demand, measured in Cargo Tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 2.9 per cent compared to February 2021 (2.5 per cent for international operations).

Adjusting the comparison for the impact of the Lunar New Year (which can cause volatility in reporting) by averaging January’s and February’s performance, demand increased 2.7 per cent year-on-year. While cargo volumes continued to rise, the growth rate decelerated from the 8.7 per cent year-on-year expansion in December.

Capacity was 12.5 per cent above February 2021 (8.9 per cent for international operations). While this is in positive territory, compared to pre-COVID-19 levels capacity remains constrained, 5.6 per cent below February 2019 levels.

Several factors in the operating environment should be noted. General consumer price inflation for the G7 countries was at 6.3 per cent year-on-year in February 2022, the highest since late 1982. While inflation normally curtails purchasing power this is balanced against higher savings levels coming out of the pandemic.

The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) indicator tracking global new export orders fell to 48.2 in March. This was the lowest since July 2020 indicating that a majority of surveyed businesses reported a fall in new export orders.

The zero-COVID policy in mainland China and Hong Kong continues to create supply chain disruptions as a result of flight cancellations due to labour shortages, and because many manufacturers cannot operate normally.

The impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine had a limited effect globally on February’s performance as it occurred very near the end of the month. The negative impacts of war and related sanctions (particularly higher energy costs and reduced trade) will become more visible from March.

IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh, said demand for air cargo continued to expand despite growing challenges in the trading environment.

“That is not likely to be the case in March as the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine take hold. Sanction-related shifts in manufacturing and economic activity, rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty will take their toll on air cargo’s performance,” Walsh said.

African airlines saw cargo volumes increase by 4.6 per cent in February 2022 compared to February 2021. Capacity was 8.2 per cent above February 2021 levels.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw their air cargo volumes increase three per cent in February 2022 compared to the same month in 2021. Available capacity in the region was up 15.5 per cent compared to February 2021, however, it remains heavily constrained compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, down 14.6 per cent compared to February 2019. The zero-COVID policy in mainland China and Hong Kong is impacting performance.

European carriers saw a 2.2 per cent increase in cargo volumes in February 2022 compared to the same month in 2021. This was slower than the previous month (6.4 per cent), partially attributable to the war in Ukraine which started at the end of the month. Seasonally adjusted demand on the Asia-Europe route, one of the most affected by the conflict, decreased by two per cent month on month. Capacity was up 10 per cent in February 2022 compared to February 2021, and down 11.1 per cent compared to pre-crisis levels (2019).