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Cargo volume handled by local airlines grew 10.6% year-on-year in 2021 as more flights resumed
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Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific accounted for the biggest chunk of the 2021 throughput at 38.8% or 64.29 million kg
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The overall volume increase came as International Air Transport Association described 2021 as a stellar year for air cargo amid improving economic conditions
Cargo traffic handled by the country’s airlines grew 10.6% year-on-year in 2021 as more flights resumed, preliminary data from the Civil Aeronautics Board showed.
Last year, domestic airlines handled 165.588 million kilograms, up from the 149.707 million kg registered in 2020.
The improvement comes as local airlines gradually resumed more flights in 2021. The airlines started suspending their domestic and international flights in mid-March 2020 amid travel restrictions imposed to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the International Air Transport Association, “air cargo had a stellar year in 2021” as economic conditions continue to support growth despite capacity constraints and supply chain issues.
Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific continued to account for the biggest chunk of the total volume, with a 38.8% or 64.29 million kg share in 2021. This was, however, 12% lower than the 73.076 million kg it handled in 2020.
Philippine Airlines placed second with 24% or 40.25 million kg, as its cargo volume grew 54.4% from 26.065 million kg recorded in 2020.
In third place was PAL Express, PAL’s sister airline, which accounted for 21.8% or 32.236 million kg. Its cargo volume likewise increased 22% from 26.457 million kg in 2020.
AirAsia Philippines remained in fourth with a share of 6.8% or 11.274 million kg, down 4% from 11.784 million kg in 2020.
In fifth place was Cebgo, which lifted 6.2% or 10.298 million kg, a 71.6% jump from the 6.001 million kg it posted in 2020.
Astro Air International Inc., which does business as Pan Pacific Airlines and started
handling cargoes only in the second quarter of 2020, accounted for 3.362 million kg or 2% of the 2021 total. It carried 46.4% more cargo last year compared to 2.297 million kg in 2020.
Falling one place to sixth spot was leisure airline Seair-I, Inc. with a share of 1.8% or 2.93 million kg, 5% less than 3.083 million kg recorded in 2020.
Budget airline Royal Air Charter Service, Inc., which operates as Royal Air Airlines, placed seventh with 0.23% or 393,256 kg.
Charter airline Island Aviation Corp. had a 0.21% share or 363,909 kg to place eighth. That was, however, a 19.4% decline from the 451,627 kg it handled in 2020.
Boutique airline AirSwift Transport Inc. handled 190,881 kg in 2021, a 75% increase from the 109,096 kg it carried in 2020. – Roumina Pablo
