June Air Freight Stats Support Resiliency, IATA Says

The most recent global air cargo numbers suggest a healthy and stable performance, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was 6.4% below June 2021 levels (-6.6% for international operations), which was an improvement on the year-on-year decline of 8.3% seen in May.

As for capacity, it was 6.7% above June 2021 (+9.4% for international operations). This was an increase on the 2.7% year-on-year growth recorded in May. Capacity for the first half-year was up 4.5% (+5.7% for international operations), compared to the first half-year of 2021. Compared to pre-COVID levels, demand was up 2.5%.

“Air cargo demand over the first half of 2022 was 2.2% above pre-COVID levels (first half 2019). That’s a strong performance, particularly considering continuing supply chain constraints and the loss of capacity due to the war in Ukraine,” notes Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general. “Current economic uncertainties have had little impact on demand for air cargo, but developments will need to be closely monitored in the second half.”