Hong Kong’s second largest cargo terminal, Asia Airfreight Terminal Co Ltd (AAT), announced today that its March throughput declined by 28 per cent year-on-year, to a total of 40,217 tonnes. Th e decline was marginally worse than February’s 26 per cent decline and slightly better than January’s 29 per cent fall.

“Although the tonnage in March 2009 was slightly higher than the previous two months, it does not reflect that the air cargo industry is getting back on track yet; when the market will turnaround is still uncertain,” said AAT general manager, Planning & Services, Nelson Lee.

Export cargo registered 26,883 tonnes, showing a decline of 30 per cent yearon- year, while import cargo volumes for March was 12,913 tonnes, recording an increase of 24 per cent from last year. Transhipment cargo volume was 422 tonnes and registered a growth of 13 per cent.

Throughput for the first quarter of 2009 was 106,761 tonnes, registering a decline of 28 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Cumulative import cargo from January to March 2009 recorded 37,635 tonnes, down 24 per cent while export tonnage for the first quarter of 2009 was 68,240 tonnes, recording a decrease of 30 per cent from last year. Total transhipment volume recorded 886,198 tonnes; down 20 per cent against respective period last year.