The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) released February 2020 data for world-wide aviation freight marketplace bear witness that demand , measured in cargo MT kilometers ( CTKs ) , minify by 1.4 % compared to the same full stop in 2019 . line up the comparing for the impact of the Lunar New Year , which flow in February in 2019 , and the saltation year in 2020 , which mean an additional day of natural action , seasonally - correct demand was down 9.1 % month - on - calendar month in February .
By February , the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on air cargo demand were becoming visible . The calendar month see several important developments :
shipment capability , measured in uncommitted cargo t km ( ACTKs ) , dropped by 4.4 % yr - on - twelvemonth in February 2020 . This is subject to the same distortions as the non - seasonally conform demand numbers .
“ The spreading of COVID-19 deepen over the month of February , and with it , the impact on air shipment . Adjusted demand for air cargo fell by 9.1 % . Asia - Pacific carriers were the most affected with a seasonally - align drop of 15.5 % . What has unfolded since is a narrative of two half . The flutter of orbicular supply Chain led to a fall in demand . But the spectacular disruption in passenger dealings resulted in even rich cuts to cargo content . And the manufacture is struggling to dish remaining demand with the modified content usable . We only have a first glimpse of this in February . Among all the uncertainty in this crisis , one matter is clear — air load is lively . It is fork out lifesaving drug and aesculapian equipment . And it is plump for world-wide provision chains . That ’s why it is critical for governments to bump off any blocker as the industry does all it can to keep the world-wide atmosphere cargo mesh functioning in the crisis and ready for the recovery , ” said Alexandre de Juniac , IATA ’s Director General and CEO .
Regional performanceAirlines in Europe suffer a tidy descent in year - on - class increment in total air shipment volumes in February 2020 , while North American and Asia - Pacific carriers experience more moderate capitulation . Middle East , Latin America and Africa were the only regions to record ontogenesis in melody freight rate demand compared to February 2019 .
1- % of industriousness CTKs in 2019 2- Year - on - year change in load element 3- Load factor grade
Asia - Pacific airway saw need for aviation cargo contract by 2.2 % in February 2020 , compared to the class - earlier period . Seasonally - adjusted cargo demand fell by 15.5 % compare to January 2020 , to degree last seen in former 2014 . The drop in requirement was for the most part due to the impact of COVID-19 . Capacity decreased 17.7 % - the largest twilight since other 2013 . Cargo electrical capacity in China drop sharply in February , beat back in large part by the collapse of belly - clutches capacity .
North American airlines take care need lessening by 1.8 % in February 2020 , compared to the same menstruum a year to begin with . capability increased by 4.1 % . payload dealings on the Asia - North America trade lanes decrease by 2.4 % year - on - class as a result of mill law of closure in Asia due to COVID-19 .
European airlines posted a 4.1 % diminution in shipment demand in February 2020 compare to the same period a twelvemonth originally . European letter carrier were among the first to scratch flights to and from Asia , contributing to the drop in requirement in February . The Within Europe market place decrease by 7.8 % year - on - year . This suggests that the region was affected by world-wide supplying chain disruptions and early COVID-19 containment measures – notably in Northern Italy , an important manufacture region . Capacity decreased by 3.8 % year - on - twelvemonth .
center Eastern airway ’ freight demand increased 4.3 % in February 2020 compared to the yr - agone time period . mental ability increased by 6.0 % . However , given the Middle East ’s position connect trade between China and the rest of the world , the neighborhood ’s carriers have significant exposure to the impact of COVID-19 in the period ahead .
Latin American airlines experienced an increase in shipment demand in February 2020 of 1.8 % . Capacity minify by 2.6 % year - on - yr . The region was relatively insensible by the COVID‑19 irruption in February . However , interrupt global supply mountain chain and a delicate economic background in some area in the region carry on to make headwinds for line cargo .
African carrier wave post the firm emergence of any part for the 12th consecutive calendar month in February 2020 , with an increase in need of 6.2 % compared to the same time period a twelvemonth to begin with . Capacity spring up 3.0 % year - on - yr . The Africa - Asia and Africa - Middle East trade lane continue to fetch robust development to the region .
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