African Airlines Record Highest International Cargo Growth In Two Years

International cargo volumes for African airlines rose by 33.9 per cent, according to the International Air Transport Association.

The rise was attributed to inter-regional trade with Asia.

IATA disclosed this in its August 2021 data for global air cargo markets.

The cartel said comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, adding that all comparisons made in the report was between August 2021 and 2019.

IATA said, “African airlines’ saw international cargo volumes increase by 33.9 per cent in August, the largest increase of all regions.

“Investment flows along the Africa-Asia route continue to drive the regional outcomes with volumes on the route up 26.4 per cent over two years ago. International capacity decreased 2.1 per cent.”

In Asia-Pacific, airlines saw their international air cargo volumes increase by only three per cent in August 2021 compared to the same month in 2019.

In Asia, demand is being affected by an easing in growth momentum in key activity indicators in Asia.

European carriers saw a six per cent increase in international cargo volumes in August 2021 compared to the same month in 2019.

IATA said, “This was on a par with July’s performance. Manufacturing activity, orders and long supplier delivery times remain favorable to air cargo demand. International capacity decreased 13.6 per cent.

“North American carriers posted an 18 per cent increase in international cargo volumes in August 2021 compared to August 2019. New export orders and demand for faster shipping times are underpinning the North American performance.

“The downside risk from capacity constraints is high; international cargo capacity remains restricted and many of the key air cargo hubs are reporting severe congestion, including Los Angeles and Chicago. International capacity decreased 6.6 per cent

“Middle Eastern carriers experienced an 15.4 per cent rise in international cargo volumes in August 2021 versus August 2019, an improvement compared to the previous month (13.4 per cent).

“The large Middle East–Asia trade lanes continue to post strong performance. International capacity decreased 5.1 per cent.

“Latin American carriers reported a decline of 14 per cent in international cargo volumes in August compared to the 2019 period, which was the weakest performance of all regions.

“Capacity remains significantly constrained in the region, with international capacity decreasing 27.1 per cent in August, the largest fall of any region.”