The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) let go data for globose air load marketplace show that demand for air cargo decreased by 10.6 % in 2020 , compare to 2019 . This was the largest drop in year - on - twelvemonth demand since IATA started to monitor cargo public presentation in 1990 , outpacing the 6 % declension in spherical business deal in goods .
worldwide demand in 2020 , measured in consignment tonne - kilometer ( CTKs * ) , was 10.6 % below 2019 levels ( -11.8 % for international operations ) .
Global capacity , evaluate in useable cargo tonne - kilometers ( ACTKs ) , shrank by 23.3 % in 2020 ( 24.1 % for external operation ) compared to 2019 . This was more than double the contraction in requirement .
Due to the lack of available capacity , cargo load factors rose 7.7 % in 2020 . This contributed to increased yields and revenue , providing keep to airlines and some foresightful - haulage passenger services in the face of founder passenger revenues .
improvement towards yearend were demonstrated in December when global demand was 0.5 % below former - year levels ( -2.3 % for international functioning ) . planetary capacity was 17.7 % below old - twelvemonth level ( ‑20.6 % for international operation ) . That is much deeper than the condensation in demand , indicating the continue and severe content crunch . With the stall of the retrieval in passenger markets , there is no death in sight for the capacity compaction .
economical condition are picking up as we move into 2021 . The new export orders component of the cook up Purchasing Managers ’ Index ( PMI)¹ is in maturation territory in both developed and emerging grocery . And global industrial production has also recover .
“ Air consignment is surviving the crisis in better shape than the passenger side of the business sector . For many airlines , 2020 ensure line freight become a vital generator of tax income , despite weakened requirement . But with much of the passenger fleet ground , meeting demand without belly content continue to be an enormous challenge . And , as country fortify travel restriction in the face of new coronavirus var. , it is hard to see improvements in passenger demand or the capability compaction . 2021 will be another tough year , ” say Alexandre de Juniac , IATA ’s Director General and CEO .
impregnable variant were evident in the regional performance of air cargo in 2020 . North American and African carriers report an one-year amplification in demand in 2020 ( +1.1 % and +1.0 % , respectively ) , while all other area remained in minus district compare to 2019 . external demand fell in all region with the exception of Africa which posted a 1.9 % increase in 2020 compare to the previous twelvemonth .
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