05 August 2020
The cargo capacity crunch continues even as New Zealand businesses return to a post-lockdown normal, according to the latest air freight numbers from Auckland Airport.
International air cargo data for the first half of the year to June showed that while air freight demand has declined -16% year-on-year, available capacity has dropped away by -25%.
Typically 80% of New Zealand’s air cargo arrived and departed in the belly-hold of passenger aircraft, but border closures and a highly disrupted aviation market have had a real impact on the supply chain over recent months, said Scott Tasker, Auckland Airport General Manager Aeronautical Commercial.
“Flying product in and out of markets is essential if you’re dealing with high-value, perishable goods or want something in a rush.
“What we saw with the outbreak of COVID-19 was the urgent need, not just in New Zealand but globally, to source health, cleaning and PPE products. Some of that capacity has been filled by passenger aircraft carrying cargo only, but clearly there’s still not enough cargo space to meet demand.
“New Zealand trends are in line with what’s happening in the air cargo market around the world. There are some regional variations but on average global air freight volumes are down around -16% and capacity lower still at -23%.”
He said government support for airlines through the International Air Freight Capacity scheme introduced in May and now extended beyond its initial end date of 30 June until the end of August has been vital in keeping air trade connections flowing.
“But the usual pattern is for a peak in cargo volumes from around October to January, so without a border reopening or an increase in cargo flights, whether that’s freighters or cargo-only passenger aircraft, it will be a challenge to match that demand with capacity. It’s possible that a shortage of capacity could be challenge for exporters getting fresh, seasonal produce, such as avocados and cherries, to international markets.”
As New Zealand got back to a more business-as-usual environment with the move to Alert Level 1 on 8 June, imports and exports moved closer to a pre-COVID pattern for the month of June.
Respiratory equipment remained the top growth category but flows of food products replaced the urgent need for COVID-related products.
Year-on-year, June tonnage fell -17%, mainly due to a -24% fall in imports. Capacity was down -41% compared to June 2019 but 9% down on the previous month, which suggest higher load factors to meet demand.
“We’ve seen relatively good volumes into the US, which is our third largest market. Export volumes were up 30% on the previous month off the back of strong numbers for lamb, beef, respiratory equipment, salmon and prepared foodstuffs, and the year-on-year drop in overall freight volumes to and from the US was only -1%,” Mr Tasker said.
In June, Auckland Airport had 10 airlines operating 255 international cargo flights using passenger aircraft, in addition to 113 international freighter flights.
Top export growth commodities, June (year-on-year):
- Respiratory equipment (+240 tonnes, +348%)
- Lobster (+166 tonnes, +152%)
- Lamb (+111 tonnes, +91%)
Top export declines, June (year-on-year):
- Food preparations (-206 tonnes, -41%)
- Fresh milk (-120 tonnes, -62%)
- Persimmons (-107 tonnes, -58%)
Top import growth commodities, June (year-on-year):
- Capsicum (+115 tonnes, +184%)
- Coffee (+41 tonnes, +479%)
- Food preparations (+30 tonnes, +17%)
Top import declines, June (year-on-year):
- Vegetables (-203 tonnes, -71%)
- Books (-168 tonnes, -64%)
- Vehicle parts (-127 tonnes, -42%)
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Global freight data
- World ACD Market: https://worldacd.com/trends
- IATA Air Cargo Market Analysis, June 2020: https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/air-freight-monthly-analysis-june-202022/
NZ Government International Air Freight Capacity Scheme: https://www.transport.govt.nz/air/government-support-for-the-aviation-sector/