Airports Council International (ACI) World’s monthly global traffic statistics for January show the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak had a rapid effect on both cargo and passenger traffic worlwide particularly in Asia-Pacific.

Results for the freight industry showed a decline by -4.4% for January 2020 compared to January 2019. Preliminary figures for 2019 also show a decline of -2.5% for the year.

"We can expect that the disruptions in supply chains and the shock to the global economy precipitated by the reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic, will cause an even greater decline in,"ACI said in its release.

The market’s 12-month rolling average stood at -3% in January, with an unprecedented and difficult period ahead, it added.

“These figures show that the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on aviation was rapid, especially in the Asia-Pacific region,” said ACI World Director General Angela Gittens.

“The aviation industry is facing unprecedented upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation calls for an exceptional policy response to ensure the continuity and sustainability of airport operations," she added.

Freight volumes 

ACI World reported that both domestic and international segments performed similarly in January, declining by -4.4% and -4.5% respectively.

Major declines for the month was led by Asia Pacific, and North America, while the Middle East market remained positive for that period.

"The main driver of that shift was the downtrends both in Asia-Pacific (-9.3%) and North America (-2.4%), which represent the vast majority of global the domestic freight market," ACI said, noting that total volumes in the two regions declined by -8.1% and -3.5% respectively in January.

The Middle East remained in the positive in January, at + +0.5% with a 12-month rolling average of -2.5%.

Europe also performed poorly, dropping -2.7% during the month, in line with its 12-month rolling average of -2.4%, due to a -3% decline in its international segment.

Latin America-Caribbean fell by -0.2% during the period, posting a temporary improvement from its -3.9% 12-month rolling average. Africa remained in the positive in January at +6% with a 12-month rolling average of +0.1%.  

Support for aviation

ACI World said the aviation industry and governments worldwide should come together to ensure the impact of the coronavirus disease in airline indusrty "is borne equitably and solutions are fair and reasonable" for a swift and balanced recovery.

“Airport operators are prioritising the health of passengers and staff first and foremost and, while it is hoped that the global health crisis will recede well before the year ends, it is possible that the economic impact could persist into 2021," ACI said.

“The financial cost to the global industry in 2020 is rapidly growing. This is a fast-moving and ever-changing crisis and governments must act decisively and quickly," it added.