Global demand for air cargo services in March 2021 increased by 21% compared to March 2020

Against the backdrop of growing demand and rates for air cargo in March, passenger airlines may reconsider their capabilities in terms of existing volumes for cargo transportation.

WorldACD analyzed the statistics of demand for freight transport in March this year and compared it with the figures for the previous three years. As a result, it turned out that in the first half of the month there was a decrease of 0.2% compared to 2020, while in the second half of last month the growth was 44%. At the same time, in comparison with the indicators of March 2018 and 2019, only a slight decrease in demand was recorded. According to WorldACD, the annual increase in flight load factor in January, February and March 2021 was 15-20%.

The official statistics of the help system allows once again to rejoice for cargo carriers, which include ZetAvia, and suggest that passenger airlines can take a fresh look at their opportunities for carrying out cargo transportation.

It is worth noting that in the first quarter of this year, WorldACD recorded an increase in freight traffic in all regions. China became the leader, with the exception of the regions of the Middle East and South Asia, where there was a decrease of 10%. It is also reported that in the first quarter of 2021, rates for full cargo flights increased by about 61% compared to 2020.

WorldACD notes that a 32% year-on-year increase in rates on full cargo flights could cause further changes in passenger airlines' carrying capacities. It is also noted that the volume of freight traffic in March increased by 7% less than the carrying capacity of passenger aircraft, while in the world the indicator increased every week from mid-March to mid-April.

Oleg Sergeev