Declining Cargo Revenue Signals Optimistic Travel Industry Recovery for Airlines as Travel Demand Rebounds
🛫 Declining Cargo Revenue Signals Optimistic Travel Industry Recovery for Airlines as Travel Demand Rebounds.
Airlines' cargo revenue is experiencing a significant slump, with Delta, United, and American reporting year-over-year declines of about 40% in their second-quarter cargo revenue. However, this decline is actually a positive sign for the travel industry's recovery. As travel demand rebounds, airlines are seeing record revenue, reducing the importance of cargo revenue that once helped sustain them during the pandemic's travel plunge. During the pandemic, air cargo became crucial for passenger carriers, as it helped them stay afloat when bookings dropped and travel restrictions were imposed. However, as travel demand returns, airlines are adding back passenger flights, increasing the supply of cargo space available. Concurrently, demand for air cargo is decreasing, leading to a drop in cargo rates.
Over 700 flights have been canceled and 500 delayed across the U.S. following a major IT outage that started on Friday.