Aug 05, 2023
IATA
Translations 国际航协:2月份航空货运高于疫情前的水平 (pdf)La carga aérea mejora en febrero (pdf)Le
Translations
国际航协:2月份航空货运高于疫情前的水平 (pdf)La carga aérea mejora en febrero (pdf)Le fret aérien montre des signes de rétablissement en février (pdf)
Geneva - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for February 2023 global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand rose above pre-pandemic levels.
Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), fell 7.5% compared to February 2022 (-8.3% for international operations). This was half the rate of annual decline seen in the previous two months (-14.9% and -15.3% respectively). February demand for air cargo was 2.9% higher than pre-pandemic levels (February 2019)—the first time it has surpassed pre-pandemic levels in eight months.
Capacity (measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers, ACTK) was up 8.6% compared to February 2022. The strong uptick in ACTKs reflects the addition of belly capacity as the passenger side of the business continues to recover. International belly-capacity grew by 57.0% in February year-over-year, reaching 75.1% of the 2019 (pre-pandemic) capacity.
Several factors in the operating environment should be noted:
"The story of air cargo in February is one of slowing declines. Year-on-year demand fell by 7.5%. That's half the rate of decline experienced in January. This shifting of gears was sufficient to boost the overall industry into positive territory (+2.9%) compared to pre-pandemic levels. An optimistic eye could see the start of an improvement trend that leads to market stabilization and a return to more normal demand patterns after dramatic ups-and-downs in recent years," said Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General.
Total Market
100.0%
-7.5%
8.6%
-7.9%
45.6%
Africa
2.0%
-3.4%
4.7%
-3.9%
46.8%
Asia Pacific
32.4%
-6.0%
19.9%
-12.8%
46.4%
Europe
21.8%
-15.3%
-1.5%
-9.4%
57.4%
Latin America
2.7%
-2.7%
27.6%
-11.2%
36.1%
Middle East
13.0%
-8.1%
9.3%
-8.4%
44.5%
North America
28.1%
-3.2%
2.8%
-2.5%
40.0%
1) % of industry CTKs in 2022 2) Year-on-year change in load factor 3) Load Factor Level
Asia-Pacific airlines saw their air cargo volumes decrease by 6.0% in February 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This was a significant improvement in performance compared to January (-19.0%). Airlines in the region benefitted from China's reopening, which saw restrictions lifted and economic activities resumed. Available capacity in the region increased by 19.9% compared to February 2022 as more and more belly capacity came online from the passenger side of the business.
North American carriers posted a 3.2% decrease in cargo volumes in February 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This was a solid improvement in performance compared to January (-8.7%). Notably, the region saw a significant increase in international demand in February which boosted its market share in international cargo traffic to beyond pre-pandemic levels (21.7% in Feb 2023 versus 18.2% in Feb 2019). Capacity increased 2.8% compared to February 2022.
European carriers saw the weakest performance of all regions with a 15.3% decrease in cargo volumes in February 2023 compared to the same month in 2022. This was an improvement in performance compared to January (-20.4%). Airlines in the region continue to be most affected by the war in Ukraine. Capacity decreased 1.5% in February 2023 compared to February 2022.
Middle Eastern carriers experienced an 8.1% year-on-year decrease in cargo volumes in February 2023. This was a slight improvement to the previous month (-11.8%). Capacity increased 9.3% compared to February 2022.
Latin American carriers reported a 2.7% decrease in cargo volumes in February 2023 compared to February 2022. This was a drop in performance compared to January which saw a 4.6% increase. Capacity in February was up 27.6% compared to the same month in 2022.
African airlines saw cargo volumes decrease by 3.4% in February 2023 compared to February 2022. This was an improvement in performance compared to the previous month (-9.5%). Notably, the Africa to Asia route area experienced significant cargo demand growth in February, up 39.5% year-on-year. Capacity was 4.7% above February 2022 levels.
> View the Air Cargo Market Analysis - February 2023
For more information, please contact:
Corporate CommunicationsTel: +41 22 770 2967Email: [email protected]
Notes for Editors:
Translations Geneva Total Market 100.0% -7.5% 8.6% -7.9% 45.6% Asia-Pacific airlines North American carriers European carriers Middle Eastern carriers Latin American carriers African airlines For more information, please contact: Notes for Editors: