The international air cargo market has undergone significant changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. If it used to be in the shadow of passenger transportation, now it is experiencing an upswing, becoming one of the most dynamic sectors of aviation.
The rapid growth of e-commerce, increased demand for critical cargo, as well as disruptions in logistics have dramatically reshaped this segment in the last four years.
When the lockdown began in 2020 and passenger traffic declined sharply, freight, on the contrary, began to rapidly gain momentum. The surge in demand for the delivery of online orders, medicines and protective equipment has given a new impetus to the development of this area.
According to IATA, in 2020, cargo turnover decreased by only 0.5% against a 65% drop in passenger traffic. And in 2021, it has already grown by 18.7% by 2019.
"The pandemic has caused unprecedented changes in aviation, and freight transportation has become one of its most resilient segments," said Willie Walsh, head of IATA.
The main drivers of growth were the boom in e-commerce, increased demand for medical supplies and disruptions in global supply chains. Also, the reduction of passenger flights has freed up the cargo capacity of airlines.
The restructuring of the market has affected not only volumes, but also business models. Some carriers have converted the planes to "mainly cargo" ones. New players have also appeared - cargo airlines created specifically to serve the growing demand.
"We are seeing fundamental changes in air cargo transportation," says Richard Albrecht of Lufthansa. "The pandemic has accelerated the transformation of this entire ecosystem."
However, the growth of freight transport has also faced new challenges: a shortage of freight capacity, disruptions in logistics and increased competition. But the pandemic has also opened up new opportunities: long-term demand from e-commerce, modernization of parks and the emergence of new business models.
"Air cargo transportation has not only survived, but also reached a new level of development," concludes Willie Walsh. "New opportunities are opening up for the industry now, and we expect its further dynamic growth."
