Both China exports data and global air cargo demand show positive signs to the continuous growth of the logistics industry, strengthening the IATA forecast earlier on cargo revenue, official data showed.
China’s total exports in June jumped 20.2% from a year ago, supported by an increase of 17.8% in international air cargo volume in the second quarter, compared to same period in 2019, according to Civil Aviation Administration of China. There were 96,000 international cargo flights from China this year as of end-June and 38% were converted from passenger flights.
Total export to the US for 1H21 was at RMB 1,640 billion, up 31.7 from a year ago and contributed most to the total amount, followed by Europe at RMB 1,511 billion (25.5% yoy) and Southeast Asia at RMB 1,465 billion (27.8% yoy).
Meanwhile, demand for world air cargo increased 9.4% in May 2021 compared to May 2019, while growth for month-on-month was at 0.4%, the 13th consecutive month of improvement, said the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
The recovery is largely backed by positive signs from economic figures including global trade rising 0.5% in April, purchasing managers indices (PMIs) climbing in most economies and more reasonable pricing in air cargo showing that cargo space is coming back.
Earlier in April, IATA expects cargo revenue to reach record high at USD 152 billion, up from USD 128 billion in 2020 and USD 101 billion in 2019. Air Cargo income will contribute 30% of the total aviation industry as majority of the passenger flights are still in halt. In Pre-COVID times, it only took up 10% – 15% of total income.
