murgatroid
Whether it is self loading freight or consigned freight, it is all payload. All markets experience a number of high and low seasons regarding passenger traffic and freight. In the ideal world it would be the high season all year round and one would maximise both. The reality is we don’t so we try and make do with what we have. To be able to load up a pax aircraft with a light pax load with freight is far more economical than sending a dedicated freighter only 65% full. It is all a matter of yield management which most airlines in this region of the world are very good at, otherwise they would be making a huge loss.
By the way you won’t get an argument from me when it comes to protection where protection is due. Just look at my past posts regarding the topic of allowing SQ access to the Aus/US route to see where I stand.