Global trade lanes see double-digit air capacity declines: Seabury

Seabury Consulting, now part of Accenture's travel industry practice, has released a report on air cargo capacity changes based on actual flight movements.

According to the weekly report, trade lanes across the world are now seeing double-digit air capacity declines compared to last year. In fact, on a trade lane level, there is no clear difference between Asia and other regions anymore.

The global international passenger belly capacity is now 70 percent lower than last year and its rate is accelerating as more countries restrict air travel or close their borders altogether. At the same time, freighter capacity is increased to partially cover for belly capacity shortages.

The composition of Transatlantic air cargo capacity has reversed in one week with Europe-USA belly capacity declining sharply in the first days after the US restricted travel from Europe, increased freighter capacity partially make up for the loss and now acount for over 80 percent of capacity.