International cargo and mail handled by foreign air carriers operating in the Philippines grew 4.9% to 398.804 million kilograms (kg) in 2018 from 380.344 million kg in 2017 as inbound traffic expanded at a double-digit rate during the period.
Of the total, incoming international cargo and mail volume surged 18.3% to 198.118 million kg from 167.442 million kg in 2017, data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) showed. Outgoing cargo, meanwhile, dropped 5.7% to 200.686 million kg from 212.902 million kg in the previous year.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) remains the top carrier, handling the biggest volume last year of 123.639 million kg, or 31% of the total volume.
All going up one rank each were Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, which hopped to second place with 58.974 million kg; Singapore Airlines to third place with 29.667 million kg; and Dubai-based Emirates to fourth rank with 18.628 million kg.
Qatar Airways, previously in second place, became fifth in 2018 handling 18.801 million kg, while flag carrier China Airlines, formerly in ninth place, ranked sixth with 15.406 million kg.
Remaining in seventh place was South Korean flag carrier Korean Air for airlifting 14.421 million kg. Japan’s biggest airline, All Nippon Airways, jumped from 13th to eighth place with 13.444 million kg and kicking Taiwan-based EVA Air down to ninth place with 12.974 million kg.
Completing the top 10 air carriers and climbing one spot was United States-based express operator United Parcel Service with 11.44 million kg.
Rounding off CAB’s list were Thai Airways (11.089 million kg); Japan Airlines (10.691 million kg); Asiana Airlines (9.291 million kg); Etihad Airways (8.919 million kg); Air Hongkong (7.824 million kg); Federal Express Corp. (7.435 million kg); Saudi Arabia Airlines (4.084 million kg); Delta Airlines (3.382 million kg); Gulf Air (2.653 million kg); KLM Royal Dutch (2.443 million kg); China Southern Airlines (2.366 million kg); Jetstar Asia Airways (2.361 million kg); Kuwait Airways (2.255 million kg); Qantas (1.994 million kg); Xiamen Airlines (1.564 million kg); China Eastern Airline (1.125 million kg); Malaysia Airlines (731,989 kg); Royal Brunei (399,024 kg); Air China (268,204 kg); Air Niugini (155,885 kg); United Airlines (141,740 kg); Ethiopian Airlines (77,834 kg); Cargolux (75,414 kg); Tiger Air (58,176 kg); and El Al Israel Airlines (24,808 kg). – Roumina Pablo
