The latest statistics from WorldACD show cargo volumes, measured in chargeable weight, in the first six months of 2021 were back at 2019 levels. Meanwhile, volumes compared to the same period in 2020 increased by 22%. On a monthly basis, cargo volumes in June were up by 31% year-over-year. (see Figure 1).

Air cargo revenues were up 79% in the first half of 2021 compared to 2019. When compared to the same period in 2020, there was a 47% upswing.

Regionally, WorldACD said there were two exceptions to the return to 2019 levels. Africa recorded robust performance of 28% in the first half compared with 2019 and European carriers which struggled with a 5% decline.

Assessing freight forwarding trends, WorldACD said, “The world’s Top-20 forwarders consolidated their position as a group (Yo2Y), but there were interesting differences depending on the origins of the forwarders in this group.