WorldACD: Global air cargo volumes up 21% in Mar-2021, 'only marginally lower' than 2018/2019

20 April, 2021

WorldACD reported (18-Apr-2021) global air cargo volumes increased 21% year-on-year in Mar-2021. Details include:

  • Mar-2021:
    • Volumes decreased 0.2% for the period 01-Mar-2021 to 15-Mar-2021 but increased 44% for 16-Mar-2021 to 31-Mar-2021, reflecting the impact of pandemic lockdowns from mid Mar-2020;
    • Performance for Mar-2021 "was only marginally lower" than Mar-2018 and Mar-2019;
    • Mar-2021 was the best month since Jan-2018 for the origin markets USA Atlantic South, USA Midwest, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium and Kenya and for the destination markets China East, South Korea, Japan, Belgium, the Netherlands and USA Midwest;
    • The origin markets China North East, China Central, France, UK, India and Australia and the destination markets Australia, Canada East, China Northeast, Spain, South Africa and USA Northeast have not yet recovered;
  • 1Q2021:
    • Volumes by chargeable weight increased 7.7% year-on-year but remained down 2% compared to 1Q2019;
    • Load factor improved by between 15pp and 20pp in each month of 1Q2021, indicating that "airlines are clearly able to use their cargo space much more efficiently than in the past";
    • Rates increased 64%, highlighting the shortage of capacity and short term financial impact of the pandemic. Freighter rates increased 32% and cargo rates for passenger aircraft almost doubled. [more - original PR]