The Philippines’ international air cargo volume increased 20% in 2011, thanks mainly to the import sector’s strong showing.
According to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), throughput reached 282.497 million kilograms (kg) compared to the previous year’s 234.635 million kg.
Inbound cargoes and mail reached 144.309 million kg and comprised the bulk of the total. Outbound air cargoes hit 138.188 million kg.
Philippine Airlines was the country’s top cargo carrier last year, handling 24.57% of the aggregate at 69.412 million kg. Of this, 65.723 million kg were booked at the airline’s Manila terminal and 3.689 million kg in Cebu. Cargoes shipped were classified as electronics (70%), tuna (20%), and garments, spare parts and live animals (10%).
Vis-à-vis PAL’s 2010 volume of 76.334 million kg, last year’s throughput slid 9%.
Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific was the country’s second biggest cargo last year. It handled 36.678 million kg, with 29.548 million kg booked in Manila and 7.13 million kg in Cebu.
In third place was Singapore Airlines, accounting for 20.822 million kg, followed by Korean Air at 18.361 million kg, and Gulf Air at 11.932 million kg.
Rounding up the country’s top 10 cargo carriers were United Parcel Service, Eva Air, Thai Airways, The Emirates, and Qatar Airways.
Earlier, CAB reported domestic cargo volume carried by five Philippine airlines dropped slightly to 183.312 million kg in 2011 from the previous year’s 183.477 million kg.
But in the domestic passage sector, passenger volume grew 13.3% to 18.76 million from 16.55 million, thanks to promotional fare offers.
