Mike King, Special Correspondent | May 29, 2012 8:45AM EDT
Softening cargo rates due to weak demand continue to impact the bottom lines of Asia’s leading carriers, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines.
Cargo carried on international routes by AAPA member airlines measured in freight tonne kilometres fell 7.6 percent last month compared to a year earlier and was down 4.8 percent over the first four months of the year.
Even after a 4.8 percent reduction in offered freight capacity, the average international air cargo load factor fell by 2.0 percentage points, to 66.3 percent in April.
“International air freight markets remain depressed,” said Andrew Herdman, AAPA Director General, with weak demand “exerting further downward pressure on rates” despite reductions in offered freight capacity.
“We're still seeing welcome growth in passenger demand, but airline profit margins have suffered as a result of the weak cargo market, and the impact of stubbornly high oil prices. Although key Asian economies are still performing relatively well, the operating environment remains challenging, clouded by uncertainties over prospects for the global economy.”
Contact Mike King at michael@borderline.eu.com.
