THE executive director the Hong Kong Shippers Council, Sunny Ho, presented a positive picture of American consumer demand based on statistic of the four-day Thanksgiving weekend, the traditional start of America`s Christmas shopping season.
Speaking at a media luncheon to announce the Air Freight Association convention in March, Mr Ho said 212 million shoppers visited stores and websites, compared to 195 million last year, up 8.7 per cent, and with spending at US$45 billion with each shopper spending $365.41 over the $341.31 (up seven per cent) they individually spent last year.
Mr Ho noted that the US National Retail Federation Shopping trends were for the more selective gifts this year, as compared to blue jeans and coffeemakers last year. More people bought jewellery gift cards, toys, books and electronics.
"According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as we approach the end of 2010, growth is returning to normal with cargo demand levels one per cent above the pre-crisis levels of early 2008. But freight volumes, said IATA, have declined five per cent since May. There has been a cargo capacity expansion this year of 9.2 per cent, which is well below the demand increase of 24 per cent," he said.
The good news was also reflected in international traffic results for October show a 14.4 per cent year-on-year increase for international freight.
Cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) set a new monthly record in October, the second time this year, he noted, handling 373,000 tonnes of cargo, up 15.5 per cent compared to October last year. Cargo growth was driven by robust export and transshipments, both of which registered a yearly increase of 18 per cent year on year.
"According to Airport Authority Hong Kong, HKIA moved the largest volumes of cargo in the first three quarters of this year when compared to all other airports worldwide," Mr Ho said.