Global Freight Tonne Kilometers (FTKs) were down 2.3 percent in March compared to March 2012, with only the Middle East and Africa showing an expansion. Asia-Pacific carriers are the largest players in air reight (together they comprise 38.5 percnet of the market). With a 3.3 percent fall compared to the previous year, this region showed the greatest weakness in terms of actual freight volumes.
The U.S. and Europe, however had larger percentage falls (5.2 percent and 4 percent respectively), but on a smaller market share. Global air freight volumes are now only 1.5 percent above the October 2012 low point, down from the 3.5 percent rise that had been reached in January.
“The March decline in air cargo is most likely a temporary stall,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. “The fundamentals for a sustained improvement in air cargo volumes are in place. Business confidence continues to signal forthcoming expansion, and the solid increase in new export orders seen in 2013 should boost airfreight in the coming months. Much of the current weakness is coming from Asia-Pacific airlines. While the region is economically strong, the economies of its trading partners are not. The Eurozone is showing renewed weakness and the negative impact of U.S. budget cuts is yet to be fully measured.”
After adjusting for seasonal factors, IATA said it is clear that the improving trend witnessed in the fourth quarter of 2012 has been reversed. The global load factor slipped marginally to 46.7 percent, and capacity fell by 0.3 percent.
•Asia-Pacific carriers saw cargo traffic fall 3.3 percent compared to March 2012. Airlines in the region have experienced most of the weakness in the global trend, with a 3 percent drop in volumes in March compared to January this year. Although regional indicators are still solid, major trade partners in Europe continue to be hampered by economic weakness and sovereign debt problems. Capacity also fell, down 2.8 percent, compared to a year ago.
•North American airlines experienced a 5.2 percent decline in demand, the steepest fall of any region. Capacity was reduced by 2.7 percent. While domestic demand has supported regional cargo carriers, routes to Europe have been hit by declines in export markets.
•European cargo markets fell 4 percent and capacity grew 0.4 percent Several European confidence indicators declined in March and much of Western Europe remains in or close to recession.
•Middle East airlines’ cargo traffic grew 10.5 percent, continuing their remarkable start to 2013. The region has grown 12.4 percent faster for the year to date compared with the same period last year. In March, capacity was up 9.1 percent.
•Latin American carriers saw demand fall 0.8 percent while capacity grew 2.6 percent. The underlying economic growth trend in the region is still solid and airlines are maintaining the improvement in demand since late 2012. Export growth to North America and China is supporting international freight routes.
Global Freight Tonne Kilometers (FTKs) were down 2.3 percent in March compared to March 2012, with only the Middle East and Africa showing an expansion. Asia-Pacific carriers are the largest players in air reight (together they comprise 38.5 percnet of the market). With a 3.3 percent fall compared to the previous year, this region showed the greatest weakness in terms of actual freight volumes.
The U.S. and Europe, however had larger percentage falls (5.2 percent and 4 percent respectively), but on a smaller market share. Global air freight volumes are now only 1.5 percent above the October 2012 low point, down from the 3.5 percent rise that had been reached in January.
“The March decline in air cargo is most likely a temporary stall,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. “The fundamentals for a sustained improvement in air cargo volumes are in place. Business confidence continues to signal forthcoming expansion, and the solid increase in new export orders seen in 2013 should boost airfreight in the coming months. Much of the current weakness is coming from Asia-Pacific airlines. While the region is economically strong, the economies of its trading partners are not. The Eurozone is showing renewed weakness and the negative impact of U.S. budget cuts is yet to be fully measured.”
After adjusting for seasonal factors, IATA said it is clear that the improving trend witnessed in the fourth quarter of 2012 has been reversed. The global load factor slipped marginally to 46.7 percent, and capacity fell by 0.3 percent.
•Asia-Pacific carriers saw cargo traffic fall 3.3 percent compared to March 2012. Airlines in the region have experienced most of the weakness in the global trend, with a 3 percent drop in volumes in March compared to January this year. Although regional indicators are still solid, major trade partners in Europe continue to be hampered by economic weakness and sovereign debt problems. Capacity also fell, down 2.8 percent, compared to a year ago.
•North American airlines experienced a 5.2 percent decline in demand, the steepest fall of any region. Capacity was reduced by 2.7 percent. While domestic demand has supported regional cargo carriers, routes to Europe have been hit by declines in export markets.
•European cargo markets fell 4 percent and capacity grew 0.4 percent Several European confidence indicators declined in March and much of Western Europe remains in or close to recession.
•Middle East airlines’ cargo traffic grew 10.5 percent, continuing their remarkable start to 2013. The region has grown 12.4 percent faster for the year to date compared with the same period last year. In March, capacity was up 9.1 percent.
•Latin American carriers saw demand fall 0.8 percent while capacity grew 2.6 percent. The underlying economic growth trend in the region is still solid and airlines are maintaining the improvement in demand since late 2012. Export growth to North America and China is supporting international freight routes.