-
Using belly space for cargo on passenger flights is increasing while the use of preighters is vanishing as more flights are deployed with COVID restrictions easing and borders reopening
-
The aviation industry is also seeing a rebalancing of freighter and belly space use
-
In North America, the use of preighters has stopped; in Europe, it had almost vanished as of August 2022, while in Asia Pacific, airlines still utilize them but to a lesser extent
The use of belly space for cargoes is rising while the deployment of preighters is on the decline with the introduction of more passenger flights following easing of COVID-19 restrictions and reopening of borders, according to an executive of the International Air Transport Authority (IATA).
A rebalancing of freighter and belly space use is also happening, according to David Wee, regional manager of IATA Asia Pacific Operations, Safety, and Security (Cargo), in a presentation at the recent First Philippines Air Cargo Day.
The use of belly space for cargo has declined to an average of less than 50% since 2020, but improved to more than 50% since May 2022.
The deployment of preighters, meanwhile, has stopped in North America and almost vanished in Europe as of August 2022, on orders by civil aviation regulators.
Wee said part of the reason for the rise and fall of belly space and preighter usage is commercially driven: airlines are again using their aircraft to carry passengers as demand increases.
The use of preighters – passenger aircraft that carry freight, particularly in the cabin – became a trend during the COVID-19 pandemic as passenger flights dropped significantly due to travel restrictions and as a solution to address the surge in cargo demand.
On some flights, rows of seats had been removed to allow space for cargo; on most flights, however, the cargoes were secured on passenger seats.
In the Asia Pacific, regulators still allow the use of preighters, although the practice has been on a decline.
IATA said preighters accounted for 29% of international air cargo in May 2020, still at the height of the pandemic, when travel was mostly restricted. Freighters still accounted for the bulk of air cargo, or 70%, while passenger aircraft had only 1%. In August 2021, preighters’ share fell to 23% while use of passenger aircraft grew to 12%.
As of August 2022, the usage of preighters was at 11%, passenger aircraft at 26%, and freighters accounted for the bulk with 63% of the total.
IATA forecasts that by 2024, passenger travel demand will return to normal and more belly space will be available. North America is going to lead the rest of the region in the recovery of passenger travel while Asia Pacific will be among the slowest markets to recover by 2025.
Cargo demand, meanwhile, had trended up since the pandemic, particularly in 2021, with an average of 10% gain from pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, however, IATA recorded declines in cargo demand, mainly impacted by factors such as inflation, high energy prices, and the Ukraine war.
The latest IATA statement said global air cargo demand fell 10.6% year-on-year in September 2022 (also down 10.6% y-o-y for international operations), but continued to track near pre-pandemic levels (down 3.6%).
READ: September air cargo volumes slip on soft demand
Asia Pacific, in particular, saw its air cargo volumes decrease 10.7% y-o-y in September 2022. Airlines in the region continue to be impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, labor shortage, and lower levels of trade and manufacturing activity due to Omicron-related restrictions in China. – Roumina Pablo
