Data from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria have shown that the harmonized cargo movement in the country for the year 2020 has significantly dropped by 15 percent.

This is following the restriction of movement of air passengers across the globe, hence an increase in air cargo demand globally for the year 2020.

The data for air cargo movement in Nigeria, however, revealed that 2020 was not as robust as 2019.

According to the International Air Transport Association April 2021 report, North America and Africa performed strongly globally.

The report said, “Global demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers, was up nine per cent, compared to January 2019 and +1.5 per cent compared to January 2021.

“All regions except for Latin America saw an improvement in air cargo demand compared to pre-COVID levels and North America and Africa were the strongest performers.”

Also, data from FAAN showed that total imports and exports in 2019 was 174,880,619.14Kg, while in 2020 it was 147, 470, 437.88Kg.

Total imports arriving at the four major airports in the country stood at 131,376,073.02Kg, while total exports were 16,094,364.86Kg.

Lagos airport consistently had the highest number of imports and exports for 2019 and 2020.

Lagos total exports and imports for 2020 were 124,314,083.26Kg.

Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano had 7,993,216.40Kg, 3,506,256.00Kg, 11,656,882.22Kg respectively.

In 2019, Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports recorded a total of 141,371,597.53Kg; 9,149,436.39Kg; 7,580,530.80Kg; 16,307,984.42Kg respectively.

There was neither import nor export of cargo recorded at the Enugu airport in 2019 and 2020.