(Compared to previous week: ↗↘→)
| Actual Traffic Figures |
week 21 |
week 22 | Δ % y-t-y |
| Cargo (Freight & Mail in t) | 36.345 | 33.996 (↘) | - 16,4% |
| Passengers | 65.659 | 75.279 (↗) | - 94,7% |
| Aircraft Movements | 1.776 | 1.788 (↗) | - 82,8% |
Compared to the previous week, the cargo volume has fallen by approx. 6.5% (↘). Compared with week 21 which showed the highest volume since the beginning of the corona crisis (week 20), cargo tonnage has decreased by approx. 9% (↘). The decline in tonnage is roughly the same in imports and exports, so that the unusual ratio of approx. 55% import to 45% export remains in FRA (→).
Signs of a trend reversal: With a continuous increase in passenger-related aircraft movements in recent weeks and the first decrease in cargo-related aircraft movements since the beginning of the corona crisis, the share of freighter and cargo-only-pax movements has fallen below the 50% mark (↘). The reduction in cargo-only pax movements is more prominent than the reduction in freighter movements.
Classification of the current situation by the cargo stakeholders interviewed
The import volumes are weakening for the majority according to those interviewed. Compared to approx. 85% in the previous week, only around 60% of the given feedbacks classified the volume as "above expectations" or "as expected" (↘). The trend in exports is proving more robust: almost 60% rated the volumes in the export sector as "as expected". The others split approximately equally between the categories "above expectations" and "less than expected" (→).
The declining trend in import volumes also continues in the projections for the development in the next seven days. Almost 90% of all respondents see a decline or stagnation in the import sector (↘). The expected resumption of freight deliveries by sea and rail freight is now taking full effect here. With regard to the development of export volumes, no significant change is expected in the coming days (→), however at a low level.
Correspondingly, the relevancy of the volume driver "medical" protective equipment is also declining (↘). Among the positively noticeable product groups, "Pharmaceutical products" and "Hightech" are mentioned more frequently in the interviews (↗), while “Textiles” are still conspicuously less transported despite the first store openings (→). Both in the import as well as in export sector, the feedback on capacity availability now shows a balanced relationship between supply and demand (↗).
In general, the implemented improvements in regard to cargo handling and the decline of import volumes led to a distinctive reduction in dissatisfaction with handling performance (↗). More than 70% of those interviewd are satisfied with the performance or at least consider it appropriate: in-house (86%), landside (72%), airside (82%) and authorities (100%).
Important topics for the cargo stakeholders interviewed, current & future
Following successful improvements of the landside processes, some interviewees pointed to challenges at the air-to-landside gateway mainly caused by the high volatility of charter traffic. In the near future, a development back to Schedule freighter services rather than charter services is expected. This could result in further process adaptions and also in capacity load shifts between the parties involved. The crucial question remains whether the economic recovery will keep pace with the freight capacities available in the future.
Issued by: FRA Cargo Team as of: June3rd 2020 Cargo & Logistics Infrastructure Development, ZFL, Fraport AG
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