PH domestic air freight forwarders see volume soar 62% in 2021

• More flight resumptions in 2021 drove up by 62% year-on-year cargo volume handled by Philippine domestic air freight forwarders
• Consolidations accounted for 50% of the total volume
• Consolidations surged 135%, direct shipments grew 23%, and breakbulking jumped 8%
• The top 3 domestic air freight forwarders were Teleport Commerce Philippines, the logistics venture of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group); AP Cargo Logistics Network Corp; and LBC Express

Cargo volume handled by domestic air freight forwarders grew 62% year-on-year in 2021 as more flights resumed during the year, according to preliminary data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).

In 2021, domestic air freight forwarders handled 59.682 million kilograms of cargoes, up from 36.769 million kg in 2020.

Of the total air cargo volume for 2021, consolidations accounted for 50% with 30.202 million kg, 135% higher than the 12.857 million kg registered in 2020.

Direct shipments followed closely with a 49.37% share or 29.463 million kg. This was 23% up from 2020’s 23.901 million kg.

Breakbulking jumped 61.8% to 17,640 kg from 10,902 kg previously.

The top three domestic air freight forwarders were Teleport Commerce Philippines, the logistics venture of Capital A (formerly AirAsia Group); AP Cargo Logistics Network Corp.; and LBC Express, Inc..

Teleport accounted for 19.1% or 11.397 million kilograms of the country’s total air freight volume handled by domestic air freight forwarders in 2021. Teleport shipped 11.397 million kilograms, dislodging AP Cargo Logistics Network Corp., which placed second with 10.694 million kg or a 17.92% share.

LBC Express remained in third place with 6.564 million kg or an 11% share.

The 2021 growth was achieved even though only 82% of domestic air freight forwarders submitted their reports to CAB, the agency noted in its preliminary data as of February 11.

It must be noted though that air cargo volumes in 2020 were particularly depressed, with domestic and international flights suspended from mid-March until June due to travel restrictions imposed locally and internationally to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Only repatriation, sweeper, and cargo flights were allowed during the three-month period.

In June 2020, limited domestic flights resumed following easing of some restrictions.

The International Air Transport Association earlier said 2021 was a stellar year for air cargo, with global air freight markets showing that full-year demand for the service grew 6.9% in 2021, compared with 2019 pre-pandemic levels, and 18.7% compared with 2020. – Roumina Pablo