IATA discloses first air freight numbers of 2021
Latest report shows that air cargo demand has reached pre-Covid levels
Recently released data from January 2021 for global air cargo markets showed that air cargo demand returned to pre-Covid levels for the first time since the onset of the crisis, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). January demand also demonstrated strong month-to-month growth over December 2020 levels.
Global demand, which is measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 1.1% compared to January 2019 and +3% compared to December 2020. All regions saw month-on-month improvement in air cargo demand, with North America and Africa being the strongest performers.
The recovery in global capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), was reversed, due to new capacity cuts on the passenger side. Capacity shrank 19.5% compared to January 2019 and fell 5% versus December 2020, the first monthly decline since April 2020.
