Sneak peek at the next peak
After a long and volatile year for many airports, are there any signs of relief on the way? In Asia, it may be too late to see a turnaround this year. HKIA said that “the weaker cargo trend is expected to continue” for the rest of 2015. But some airports in Europe and North America remain hopeful for the coming peak season.
German airports seem to be particularly cheerful. At Fraport, Schusdziara said he is optimistic about export projections. “The growth rate for Germany in 2015 and 2016 is forecast by the major research institutes to be higher than many had originally expected,” he said. In Munich, Heinelt said he expects to see growth “in the double-digit range” during peak season. “We have received indications from the cargo airlines and the top logistics companies that they plan to step up their activities in Munich on Asian and North American routes.”
In MIA, Mangos also has a positive outlook. “With fuel costs maintaining their present levels, MIA should experience an upward trend in cargo beginning in the fall, due to end-of-year tonnage typically being the highest of the year.”
Despite the still shaky European economy, Brussels’ Polmans said he also sees “signs we are back on the right track” and that overall volumes should increase this fall, even if the recovery will most likely not be very strong. He sums up the attitudes of many airports as we head into peak season: “For many of us, it will be good if we can leave 2015 behind us, hoping 2016 will be better.”
See preview of airports yet to come