Asia Pacific Airlines registered 20% YoY air cargo decline in June

July 28, 2020: Association of Asia Pacific Airlines today released the June 2020 traffic figures with air cargo, in freight tonne-kilometre (FTK) terms, declined 20.3 percent year-on-year, as demand for exports continued to falter on the back of economic weakness aggravated by disruptions to global supply chains.

Offered freight capacity fell by 27.2 percent as most passenger aircraft were grounded, resulting in a 5.6 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor to 64.9 percent for the month.

Air cargo demand, in freight tonne-kilometre (FTK) terms, was 20.3 percent lower year-on-year, as demand for exports continued to falter on the back of economic weakness aggravated by disruptions to global supply chains. Offered freight capacity fell by 27.2 percent as most passenger aircraft were grounded, resulting in a 5.6 percentage point increase in the average international freight load factor to 64.9 percent for the month.

PRESS RELEASE: Asia Pacific Airlines Traffic Results June 2020 - International air travel remains grounded; cargo demand also faltering https://t.co/26L0kH35aC #aviation pic.twitter.com/owgN5Gpqli

— AAPA (@AAPAirlines) July 28, 2020

Subhas Menon, AAPA Director-General said, "Air cargo demand declined by 16 percent during the first half of the year, reflecting the general deterioration in consumer and business confidence. Overall, Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 61 million international passengers during the first half of 2020, representing a 68 percent fall compared to the same period last year. International travel demand evaporated in the second quarter. Most flights were only operating to repatriate people to their home countries."

Menon said, "The prospect of a recovery in travel markets during the second half of the year is increasingly uncertain, as governments grapple with a resurgence of local infections, with the re-imposition of community lockdowns and further tightening of travel restrictions. Uncoordinated measures between States, including blanket quarantines by some, are making international air travel extremely difficult even for those wishing to travel. Airlines in the Asia Pacific region are rapidly depleting cash reserves and incurring massive losses. It is critical for governments to recognise the debilitating impact of current policies and work cooperatively to re-establish global connectivity whilst maintaining appropriate measures to safeguard public health in line with guidance published by the International Civil Aviation Organisation."