The Airports Council International (ACI) expects air cargo volumes to see a "positive path to recovery" this year with the levels in Asia Pacific and Middle East seen to return to the pre-coronavirus level in 2019 by 2022. 

In its latest forecast, the global trade association of the world’s airports, noted that passenger volumes will, however, face a "slow and uncertain," normalization with a "diverse demand recovery pattern."

"The air freight segment will see a more positive recovery path. In 2019, Asia-Pacific and Middle East airports respectively handled 47 million and 9 million tonnes of cargo throughput," ACI Asia-Pacific said.

"Both regions are expected to return to 2019 pre-COVID levels by 2022," it added.

The industry group noted, however, that the outlook will be dependent on the worldwide vaccine distribution.

"This forecast is based on the assumption that an effective vaccine is distributed in 2021, and broader population vaccination is largely accomplished by early 2022," ACI Asia-Pacific — which represents 117 members operating 604 airports in 49 countries/territories in Asia Pacific and the Middle East  — added.

APAC, Middle East to be fastest growing in 20 years

"Limited vaccine supply and slow distribution combined with a prolonged economic downturn risks postponing the recovery of the whole region to 2024," said Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific.  

In the next 20 years, ACI forecasts that APAC and the Middle East "will be the fastest-growing globally" according to the World Air Traffic Forecasts 2020-2040. 

Meanwhile, it said among the top 10 fastest-growing countries which will have above 50 million passengers by compound growth rate from 2019 to 2040 are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Iran in the Middle East; and Indonesia, India, Vietnam, Philippines and China in Asia-Pacific. 

"For the aviation industry to continue providing vital services and supporting the global vaccine distribution undertakings, ACI Asia-Pacific urges the inclusion of all aviation workers and airport staff as essential workers as part of the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization recommendations and national vaccination plans," Baronci noted.

In 2019, ACI Asia-Pacific airports handled 55.8 million tonnes of cargo.