Feeder freighters will gain prominence on Asian routes

THE ASIAN air freighter market is still a long way short of the sophistication levels of the developed air cargo networks, such as Europe and the USA, according to Steve Doughty, vice-president of BAE Systems Regional Aircraft. Therefore, he added, regional freighter feed aircraft are likely to become a major force in Asian freighter markets. Speaking at the Air Freight Asia Conference in Hong Kong recently, Doughty pointed out that regional freighters were an integral part of developed cargo networks. “As Asian economies flourish and consumer demand grows, so pressure for domestic air freight feeder networks will increase,” he added. Doughty argued that – despite having five of the world’s top ten cargo airports measured by annual tonnage, and a further seven airports in the top 25, many with double digit growth – the Asian airfreight market was still developing. Air cargo in the region is geared to centralised industrial production and export, with feed typically provided through road transport or on passenger belly holds.