From January to September, Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport handled 196,175 tonnes of air cargo, a drop of 23.9 per cent compared with a year earlier, according to the Israel Airports Authority (IAA).

During September Ben Gurion airport handled 21,452 tonnes, a 15.8 per cent drop compared to the same period last year during which 25,476 tonnes were handled.

Belly cargo flown by passenger aircraft amounted to 12,091 tonnes in September – import 5,151 tonnes and export 6,940 tonnes – an increase of 5.8 per cent from last year’s 11,426 tonnes.

In September, pure cargo carriers handled a total of 9,361 tonnes, a drop of 33.37 per cent compared to a year earlier. Israeli carrier, El Al handled a September volume of 2,869 tonnes, a drop of 20.6 per cent compared to 3,613 tonnes a year earlier. El Al’s market share improved during September from 25.7 per cent to 30.6 per cent, according to the IAA.

During January – September 2009 El Al carried a total of 31,620 tonnes, a drop of 36 per cent compared to a year earlier.

CAL Cargo Air Lines handled 3,483 tonnes of cargo during same period, a drop of 36 per cent compared to the same month a year earlier when it handled 5,517 tonnes. The company’s market share has been stable at 38 per cent of total cargo moved by freighters in and out of Israel.

During January – September 2009 CAL handled 38,278 tonnes, a drop of 30 per cent compared to a year earlier.