THE United States was the country’s largest airfreight partner last year, accounting for 57.94 million kilograms (kg) or 23.93% of total international cargo traffic flow, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB). In 2004, the country’s international cargo traffic flow totaled 242.08 million kg, 15.1% of which were direct shipments, 58% consolidated shipments and 26.9%, breakbulk cargoes.
Preliminary data released by the agency showed countries from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) followed the US with 53.17 million kg, accounting for 21.97% of the total international air traffic market. The country’s third-largest partner was Japan with 32.23 million kg or 13.32% of air traffic to and from the Philippines. Hong Kong and the rest of Europe were in fourth and fifth places with 23 million kg (9.51%) and 14.63 million kg (6.04%), respectively.
The top six and seven destinations for Philippine air shipments were the rest of Asia and Germany with 13.32 million kg (5.50%) and 10.50 million kg (4.34%), respectively.
Also last year’s top Philippine air traffic import/export destinations were: Korea (7.24 million kg or 2.99%); Taiwan (6.22 million kg or 2.57%); United Kingdom (3.17 million kg or 1.31%); Middle East (2.39 million kg or 0.99%); Australia (2.24 million kg or 0.93%); Italy (1.57 million kg or 0.65%); France (1.50 million kg or 0.62%); Canada (1.15 million kg or 0.48%); South America (222,952 million kg or 0.09%); and Africa (153,883 million kg or 0.06%).
In terms of consolidated shipments, CAB reported the US emerged as the country’s biggest import/export partner, accounting for 32.74% of the entire market, followed by ASEAN countries (28.83%) and Japan (11.73%). Hong Kong was the country’s largest direct air import/export shipment partner with 13.63 million kg or 37.19% market share, while Japan had the highest breakbulk imports and exports with 11.98 million kg or 18.42% of the total air breakbulk market. .
