In terms of total traffic, both regions performed similarly during the economic downturn, both with overall negative growth (-28.8 per cent for Asia; -27.8 per cent for the Middle East.) The large-sized Asian market represented 321,000 tonnes for the January through August 2009 yearto- date period while the Middle East represented 62,000 tonnes. For the same YTD period, imports from Asia were down -29.2 per cent (185,000 tonnes) while imports from the Middle East weredown -39.1 per cent (23,000 tonnes).

“Things were somewhat brighter on the export side to the Middle East,” reports Michael. J. Bednarz, manager Air Cargo Business Development, PANYNJ Aviation Department. Although Asian exports were down -28.3 per cent (136,000 tonnes), Middle East exports were only down -18.8 per cent (39,000 tonnes).

Tonnage from India is faring well. Out of the New York Customs District’s top ten trade partners from Asia, India has performed the best in terms of total traffic growth for the January to August 2009 year-to-date period. “This especially holds true for imports where India has climbed to our number five top import trade partner,” says Bednarz.

Exports to Asia continue to be driven by the machinery, electrical machinery, medical and optical instruments, and pharmaceutical products. “We’ve also seen a lot of aircraft related commodities moving, especially helicopters,” comments Bednarz.

From Asia, the New York market continues to attract wearing apparel commodities, but also machinery, electrical machinery, medical and optical instruments, and pharmaceutical products, which is similar to exports.

“Not surprisingly, our exports to the Middle East basically run parallel with exports to Asia in terms of commodities,” he adds. “We have, however, seen sizeable growth with fruit exports from New York, specifically fresh melons and papayas. This reinforces the fact that our New York air cargo gateway offers more choices and more direct flights to international destinations.”

Imports from the Middle East are led by pharmaceutical products, which have been only slightly affected by the global economic downturn. Machinery and wearing apparel commodities are also within PANYNJ’s top five import commodities. “We’ve also experienced solid growth in vegetables coming infrom this region of the world,” he adds.

Newark easy access
While JFK has the lion’s share of the Asian tonnage moving in and out of Port Authority airports, Newark Liberty International (EWR) also has much to offer in terms of logistical efficiencies with its excellent location for the movement of express cargo to and from the huge New York metropolitan area.

“When the first orders for B747-800F aircraft arrive, any necessary changes to our infrastructure will already have been made, and we’ll be able and ready to handle these aircraft at JFK,” Bednarz says. Both JFK and EWR are ideally situated to accommodate freighter flights with new B777 freighter aircraft as well as B747 freighters, he adds. “As these freighter flights typically operate through Europe, our physical location can save time and fuel costs and serve as an efficient gateway to other US destinations.”

“And let’s not forget about Stewart International Airport,” Bednarz says. “Whether it’s race horses from Dubai or wearing apparel from China, Stewart is a cost-effective and logistically efficient choice for any air cargo stakeholder’s charter needs.” Stewart is also the home of the USDA New York Animal Import Center.

PANYNJ airports have seen its share of new flights to Asia and the Middle East. Jet Airways flies out of both Newark and JFK to India. Emirates continues to put more emphasis on the New York market. Etihad has been operating daily service for three years. Qatar Airways has made a strong commitment to the New York market. Egyptair, Royal Jordanian, Saudi Arabian and El Al continue to be strong supporters.

“Nippon Cargo Airlines is back in the New York market after a briefly discontinuing service,” he says. Yangtze River Express is now schedule to recommence service some time in the early part of 2010. For now, the biggest challenges for the Asian markets focuses on direct freighter service.

The Middle East market continues to show its aggressiveness as carriers are purchasing freighter aircraft and focusing on the air cargo segment of their overall business. “The key is to attract these new freighters and long-haul routes to ourairports first,” Bednarz notes.