Worldwide air cargo demand has rebounded significantly above last year’s levels, driven by strong export volumes from China, with preliminary tonnages for November up +5%, year on year (YoY), and up +1% on the previous month. Taking combined tonnages for the peak period October and November the increase is around +3% higher than last year, according to the latest figures from WorldACD Market Data. Although demand slipped slightly in the first full week of December compared with the previous week, and overall worldwide prices levelled off, air cargo rates ex-Asia Pacific on the big head-haul lanes to North America and Europe remain significantly above their levels two or three weeks ago, thanks to a surge in demand ex-China.
On a global basis, volumes in weeks 48 and 49 remain above their levels this time last year, now standing +3% higher, YoY, driven mostly by a +14% increase ex-Asia Pacific, with more-modest rises ex-Middle East & South Asia (+4%), ex-Africa (+2%), and ex-Central & South America (+1%). There remain significant decreases in tonnages ex-North America (-6%) and ex-Europe (-5%), although these are far less severe than the deficits reported in previous weeks, most notably ex-North America.
Meanwhile, overall available capacity has increased by +12% compared with last year, with capacity ex-Asia Pacific up by a noteworthy +26%. Other regions also show significant YoY capacity increases: ex-North America (+11%), ex-Africa (+11%), ex-Central & South America (+10%), ex-Europe (+8%) and ex-Middle East & South Asia (+6%).
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