Air freight volumes decimated by trade tensions

Air freight demand continues to suffer from the effects of the US-China trade war, as figures fell again in May.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that demand—measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK)—fell by 3.4% year-on-year, a slender improvement on the 5.6% decrease felt in April.
Despite the slight progress, IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said trade tensions around the world will continue to affect air cargo unless something changes.
Even if efforts to ease trade tensions are successful in the short-term, restoring business confidence and growing trade will take time

“The impact of the US-China trade war on air freight volumes in May was clear. Year-on-year demand fell by 3.4%,” he said. “It’s evidence of the economic damage that is done when barriers to trade are erected.
“Renewed efforts to ease the trade tensions coming on the sidelines of the G20 meeting are welcome, but even if those efforts are successful in the short-term, restoring business confidence and growing trade will take time.
“And we can expect the tough business environment for air cargo to continue.”
Demand has suffered due to very weak global trade volumes and US-China tensions, which has contributed to a decline in new export orders.
Freight capacity — measured in available freight tonne kilometres (AFTK) — rose by 1.3% year-on-year in May, the 13th month in a row that capacity has outstripped demand.
Airlines in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East suffered sharp declines in year-on-year growth in total air freight volumes in May 2019, while North America and Europe experienced more moderate declines.
Africa, and Latin America both recorded growth in air freight demand compared to May last year.

Breakdown by region

• Asia-Pacific airlines saw demand for air freight contract by a hefty 6.4% in May 2019, compared to the same period in 2018. Air freight capacity increased by 0.3% over the past year.
• North American airlines saw demand decrease by 1.6% in May 2019, compared to the same period a year earlier. Capacity increased by 1.4% over the past year.
• European airlines posted a 0.2% decrease in freight demand in May 2019 compared to the same period a year earlier. Capacity increased by 2.5% year-on-year.
• Middle Eastern airlines’ freight volumes decreased 6.9% in May 2019 compared to the year-ago period. Capacity decreased by 1.6%.
• Latin American airlines experienced an increase in freight demand growth in May 2019 of 2.7% compared to the same period last year and capacity increased by 6.6%.
• African carriers posted the fastest growth of any region in May 2019, with an increase in demand of 8.0% compared to the same period a year earlier. Capacity grew 13.4% year-on-year.