The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines released figures showing air cargo demand increased prior to the Lunar New Year.
Asia-Pacific-based airlines’ international air cargo demand, measured in freight tonne kilometers, experienced firm growth of 4.3 percent compared to January 2012.
The average Asia Pacific international air cargo load factor was 2.9 percentage points higher at 62.8 percent for the month.
This year, the Lunar New Year fell in February. In 2012, it was in January.
“Comparisons with last year are somewhat distorted by the difference in timing of the Chinese New Year holidays, affecting both passenger and cargo traffic flows,” said Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general. “We will have to wait for the February traffic data to get a better sense of the underlying trends for passenger and cargo demand.”
Aircargo World