With air cargo demand continuing its robust growth during this peak season, records for November freight volumes are being set in regions across the world, from China to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Europe.
For example, Etihad Cargo, the freight division of UAE carrier Etihad Airways, carried 53,292 tonnes in November, reflecting a 7 percent increase from 51,688 tonnes recorded in October 2013. The carrier’s total uplift for 2014 is expected to top 570,000 tons, a 17 percent increase over 2013.
Etihad Cargo has already earned US $1 billion in revenue to date. It has also increased its capacity by offering bellyhold cargo space on 10 new passenger flights, including service to Medina, Saudi Arabia; Jaipur, India; Los Angeles; Zurich, Switzerland; Yerevan, Armenia; Rome; Perth, Australia; Phuket, Thailand; Dallas and San Francisco. Etihad now operates 15 freighter-only routes and 90 passenger destinations on which cargo services are provided.
Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals (Hactl) also experienced a record-setting month in November 2014, processing 176,103 tonnes for the month, besting the November 2013 record of 164,743 tonnes by 6.9 percent. These figures do not include tonnage shipped through Hactl by Cathay Pacific Airways, which parted ways with Hactl in 2013.
The largest cargo handler in Hong Kong also set a one-day record of 7,292 tonnes of freight, including 5,456 tonnes of export cargo shipments, on Nov. 23. Hactl also set a new weekly record in the week of Nov. 10-16 with 29,031 tons of exports; 41,107 tons moved through the terminal in the week ending Nov. 30.
Also smashing records, Luxembourg-based Cargolux saw great success in November. The all-cargo airline carried 76,504 tons of freight, more than in any other month of its history, and 3.1 percent higher than November 2013. Through November 2014, Cargolux grew its tonnage by 10.5 percent compared to the same time in 2013.