Sunday, July 6, 2025
23.7 C
Lagos

African Airlines Record 31% Cargo Growth in April 2021

African airlines’ cargo demand in April increased 30.6% compared to the same month in 2019, the strongest of all regions and the fourth consecutive month of growth at or above 25% compared to 2019.

Robust expansion on the Asia-Africa trade lanes contributed to the strong growth. April international capacity increased by 0.6% compared to April 2019.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released April 2021 data for global air cargo markets showing that air cargo demand continued to outperform pre-COVID levels (April 2019) with demand up 12%.
Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was up 12% compared to April 2019 and 7.8% compared to March 2021. Seasonally adjusted demand is now 5% higher than the pre-crisis August 2018 peak.

The strong performance was led by North American carriers contributing 7.5 percentage points to the 12% growth rate in April. Airlines in all other regions except for Latin America also supported the growth.

Capacity remains 9.7% below pre-COVID-19 levels (April 2019) due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft. Airlines continue to use dedicated freighters to plug the lack of available belly capacity. International capacity from dedicated freighters rose 26.2% in April 2021 compared to the same month in 2019, while belly-cargo capacity dropped by 38.5%.

Underlying economic conditions and favourable supply chain dynamics remain supportive for air cargo:

Global trade rose 4.2% in March.

Competitiveness against sea shipping has improved. Air cargo rates have stabilized since reaching a peak in April 2020, while shipping container rates have remain relatively high in comparison. Meanwhile, longer supplier delivery times as economic activity ramps up make the speed of air cargo an advantage by recovering some of the time lost in the production process.

“Air cargo continues to be the good news story for the air transport sector. Demand is up 12% on pre-crisis levels and yields are solid. Some regions are outperforming the global trend, most notably carriers in North America, the Middle East and Africa. Strong air cargo performance, however, is not universal. The recovery for carriers in the Latin American region, for example, is stalled,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

spot_img
spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

MTN, 9mobile Ink National Infrastructure Partnership Deal

L-R: Abolaji Idowu, Chief Financial Officer, 9mobile; Omotola Ojutayo,...

Stanbic IBTC Holding’s N148bn Rights Issue Oversubscribed by 21.9%, Injects N140bn into Stanbic IBTC Bank

Acting Group CE Statement Commenting on the just concluded rights...

NAICOM Hands over New Licences to SanlamAllianz Life, General Insurance

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) today handed over new...

Access Bank Highlights Leadership at Climate Governance Initiative Launch

Access Bank Plc has once again demonstrated its leadership...

Fidelity Bank Extends Relief Efforts to Eti-Osa Community with Food Bank Initiative

Henry Asiegbu, Divisional Head, Operations, Fidelity Bank Plc (Left);...

Topics

Insurance Fraud Management Forum Set for Berlin May, 12

An insurance fraud management forum is set for Berlin,...

SMEDAN Plans Microfinance Bank, 25 Institutions in TINEDEP Program in 2022

Mr. Olawale Fasanya Director-General SMEDAN INTERACTIVE SESSION BETWEEN MR. OLAWALE FASANYA (DIRECTOR-GENERAL),...

Good Corporate Governance Practices Make Businesses Sustainable – Sulaiman

  Adedotun Sulaiman Chairman Absa Nigeria The Chairman, Absa Nigeria, Adedotun Sulaiman, speaks...

Fidelity Bank Outperforms Banks, Stock Market with 507% Gain in 5 Years

Investors in Fidelity Bank Plc have earned more than...

MFM Orders Pastor to Shut Illegal Deliverance Facility, Report in Lagos

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry Wednesday ordered one...

Davis Iyasere Appointed New Secretary-General/CEO of WAICA

Mr. Davis Ebelechukwu Iyasere of Nigeria has been appointed...

Stanbic IBTC Supports Educational Institutions with School Loans

Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC...

NAICOM Orders African Alliance Insurance to Fulfill Obligations or Face Regulatory Action

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has ordered African Alliance...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img