Motion Chart Identifying Historic and Forecasted Air Cargo Activity

The Motion Chart below is comprised of historic air cargo tonnage from 1997 to 2007 for the top 100 or so airports in North America. The airports are grouped into four categories: Gateway/Hub, Passenger Hub, Regional Hub (Cargo) and Origin/Destination market airports. Tonnage data includes mail and freight which comprises all cargo. Growth rates for the 2008 to 2027 time period are based on five year average growth rates for the airports in each category. (Anchorage International's forecasted growth rate was set at 6.1% annual growth based on the airport's Master Plan.) Data is provided by Airports Council International North America.

About the Motion Chart

The X axis needs to be historic and forecasted Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP). If it is not already selected click on the X axis label and select GMP. Next to it select either Lin or Log. Logarithmic provides the most readable graph. The X axis represents economic growth for each airports market area. When the bubbles move to the right it represents each airport's market area increase in GMP. The forecasted GMP is based on historic 2002-2007 growth rates. The Y Axis is historic and unconstrained forecasted air cargo tonnage. Use the linear function. On the far rate select Tons for the bubble type. Place your cursor on the bubbles to see the airport and annual tonnage data. Click on the play button, lower left, to see the historic and projected activity. In the bottom right is the year. You can slow or speed up the motion by the speed control apparatus to the right of the play button.

The View

What you are viewing is the continued growth of air cargo at the Gateway/Hub airports and regional hubs. Some Pax Hubs increase in tonnage while other continue to decline slightly. O&D markets fluctuate up and down. O&D Airports decline no greater than -2.17% (average growth of O&D cargo airports). It is interesting to see that if historic trends continue the largest air cargo gateway/hub airports and regional hubs will increasingly separate from the O&D airports . It is also noteworthy to point out that GMP growth does not directly affect air cargo tonnage growth.

Enjoy!

Historic and Forecasted Air Cargo Tonnage at Top 100 NA Airports Based on 2002-2007 Growth Rates