The data says volumes fell 1.2% compared to October, reversing the trend traditionally seen in the peak build-up to Christmas.
Falling volumes came despite capacity rising 0.5% and air cargo rates climbed 8% in November month-on-month.
In the third week of November, capacity from Europe to North America was down 7.3% compared to the last week of October as passengers started flying again due to the transatlantic reopening, using up capacity with their baggage.
Niall van de Wouw, Managing Director of CLIVE Data Services says November volumes would typically be above October but that was not the case this year.
He says the fall was not due to a lack of demand but, like the ocean freight congestion particularly on the US West Coast, not being able to handle the demand.
“Labour shortages are a factor in all sectors, but this is especially having an impact on such a labour-intensive industry as airfreight, especially on the ground. Airport congestion seems to be the price the industry has to pay for the lack of investment in, and appreciation of, cargo handling,” he says.
The inefficiencies on the ground are costing airlines, forwarders and shippers money because cargo is missing flights.
Van de Wouw says: “Two months ago, we described the air cargo market as ‘fragile’ heading into the traditional peak season, and this fragility is being visualised on social media through airport movies showing countless pallets and containers waiting on the tarmac.”