The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said its August 2021 data for global air cargo showed that demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs), was up 7.7% compared to the pre-Covid month of August 2019, or 8.6% for international operations. Overall growth remains strong compared to the long-term average growth trend of around 4.7%.
The pace of demand growth did slow slightly compared to July, which saw demand increase 8.8% (against pre-COVID-19 levels).
Cargo capacity recovery paused in August, down 12.2% compared to August 2019 (13.2% for international operations). In month-on-month terms, capacity fell by 1.6% – the largest drop since January 2021.
IATA added that economic conditions continue to support air cargo growth but are slightly weaker than in the previous months indicating that global manufacturing growth has peaked.
IATA director general, Willie Walsh (pictured), commented: “Air cargo demand had another strong month in August, up 7.7% compared to pre-Covid levels. Many of the economic indicators point to a strong year-end peak season. With international travel still severely depressed, there are fewer passenger planes offering belly capacity for cargo. And supply chain bottlenecks could intensify as businesses continue to ramp up production.”