The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) release May 2021 data for world line load market showing that requirement continued its inviolable increase vogue .
As comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are strain by the sinful impact of COVID-19 , unless otherwise noted , all comparing to conform to are to May 2019 which follow a normal requirement pattern .
Global need , assess in cargo tonne - kilometre ( CTKs * ) , was up 9.4 % compare to May 2019 . Seasonally adjusted demand rose by 0.4 % month - on - month in May , the 13th serial month of improvement .

The pace of growth slack more or less in May compared to April which saw demand increase 11.3 % against pre - COVID-19 level ( April 2019 ) . Notwithstanding , melody cargo outperformed global goodness deal for the fifth consecutive calendar month .
North American carriers contribute 4.6 percentage points to the 9.4 % development charge per unit in May . airline in all other regions except for Latin America also supported the growth .
Capacity remains constrained at 9.7 % below pre - COVID-19 levels ( May 2019 ) due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft . Seasonally adjusted mental ability rose 0.8 % month - on - month in May , the fourth consecutive month of improvement indicating that the content crush is slowly unwinding .
underlie economic atmospheric condition and lucky supplying mountain range dynamics remain supportive for melodic line cargo :
“ move by strong economic growth in swap and manufacturing , demand for air lading is 9.4 % above pre - crisis degree . As economies unlock , we can await a fault in consumption from trade good to services . This could slow growth for loading in world-wide , but improved competitiveness compare to sea shipping should continue to make air shipment a lustrous office for airlines while passenger demand shin with continue border closures and change of location restriction , ” say Willie Walsh , IATA ’s Director General .
May regional performanceAsia - Pacific air hose saw demand for international airwave freight increase 5.3 % in May 2021 compared to the same month in 2019 . This was a decrease equate to the old calendar month ( 5.9 % ) due to a slight slowdown in growth in several large trade path such as Within Asia . International capacity remained stiffen in the region , down 16.9 % versus May 2019 . As was the case in April , the realm ’s airlines reported the gamy international cargo factor at 75.2 % .
North American carriers posted a 25.5 % increase in external need in May 2021 compared to May 2019 . This was on par with April ’s functioning ( 25.4 % ) and the strongest of all regions . Underlying economic conditions and favorable supplying chain kinetics rest supportive for tune lading carrier wave in North America . external capability originate by 1.6 % equate with May 2019 .
European carriers post a 5.7 % gain in demand in May 2021 compared to the same calendar month in 2019 . This was a decrease in public presentation compare to the former calendar month ( 11.5 % ) due to a slight retardation in growth on key trade road including Europe – Asia and Within Europe . International capacity lessen by 17.3 % in May 2021 versus May 2019 , remaining unchanged from the previous month .
midway Eastern carriers post a 14.1 % cost increase in international payload volume in May 2021 versus May 2019 . This was a slight decrease compare to the old month ( 15.6 % ) . Seasonally adjusted volumes rest on a full-bodied up trend . external capacity in May was down 6.1 % compare to the same month in 2019 , a robust improvement from the 10.1 % drop in April .
Romance American carriers reported a decline of 14 % in international payload volumes in May compared to the 2019 period . This was the worst performance of all regions , but a significant melioration compare to the previous month , which saw a 32.3 % drop in demand . Seasonally adjusted demand also rose strongly in May . International capacity decreased 24.9 % compared with May 2019 , an betterment over the 52.3 % decrease in April .
African airlines ’ loading demand in May increased 24.5 % compare to the same month in 2019 . This was a decrease in performance compare to the old calendar month ( 34.0 % ) due to a lag in trade flows between Africa and Asia . May international capacitance increase by 0.5 % compared to May 2019 , rest comparatively unchanged from April .
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