February throughput mostly flat at cargo airports

February airfreight volumes remained spotty, averaging a 0.62% increase in tonnage compared with 2021 volumes, as 2022 continued its rocky start with disruption from omicron outbreaks and the war in Ukraine. The invasion of Ukraine by Russian armed forces in late February caused freight forwarders, carriers and express operators to suspend operations in both countries. In turn, Russian carriers AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) and Atran ceased operations at their European hub at Liege Airport (LGG), eliminating a significant amount of capacity from the already strained market. Despite the additional capacity loss, the situation between Ukraine and Russia didn’t result in a noticeable impact on airfreight movements for February, Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) reported in its latest traffic data. [caption id="attachment_77494" align="alignright" width="471"] Photo courtesy of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.[/caption] Asia-Pacific Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), which saw a decline in February tonnage, was still feeling the impact of pandemic-related restrictions put in place in January . In February, HKG handled 272,000 tonnes of cargo, down 12% year over year, according to the latest traffic report. Exports and transshipments felt the most impact due to omicron-related closures while cargo to and from North America saw the largest decrease. HKG ranked No. 2 in Air Cargo World ’s latest Top 50 Cargo Airports ranking, based on 2020 throughput. Volumes at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), on the other hand, were up 14.3% to 110,605 tonnes compared with February 2021, according to the latest statistics from PVG-based terminal operator Shanghai Pudong International Airport Cargo Terminal Co. Ltd. (PACTL). However, the recent omicron outbreaks in Shanghai, which resulted in thousands of flight cancellations, will most likely impact March volumes at both PVG and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA). PVG ranked No. 3 in the report. Tonnage for the month at Incheon International Airport, No. 6 in Air Cargo World ’s rankings, was nearly flat with February 2021 at 237,394 tonnes, according to the latest traffic data. Europe European airports also saw mixed throughput in February, with FRA posting a 10.8% YoY decrease to 161,267 tonnes of cargo, according to the airport’s latest traffic report. FRA attributed the decrease to the earlier date of Lunar New Year as well as capacity reductions and bottlenecks due to omicron outbreaks. February also saw a decrease in available freighters, FRA reported. Cargo being transported on freighters was down 17.7% while belly cargo was up 27.8%. FRA further noted that there has yet to be a noticeable impact on cargo as a result of the Ukraine-Russia war. February throughput at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) was up 5.5% YoY to 118,274 tonnes while in the U.K., volumes at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) saw a 5.6% YoY increase to 108,524 tonnes. North America Cargo airports and gateways in North America continued to show mixed February results. On the U.S. West Coast, February traffic at Ontario International Airport (ONT) was down 7.9% to 55,209 tonnes. ONT ranked No. 29 in the report. Meanwhile Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), a major Amazon hub , saw a 10.4% YoY increase to 112,832 tonnes of cargo in February, according to the airport’s traffic report. CVG ranked No. 21 in Air Cargo World ’s report. The Air Cargo Tech Summit, the new airfreight logistics event presented by Air Cargo World , will take place live in Miami from June 6-7. Learn more and register here.

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