Air Cargo Forwarder News

Global air cargo volumes in August and September were up just 1 percent compared to the same months in 2019, but the shortage of capacity has shippers fighting to secure capacity ahead of holiday season.

There is little clarity in Shanghai airport’s evolving COVID-19 lockdown situation, with forwarders in China asked not to deliver export cargo to the terminals and airlines suspending inbound shipments.

The acquisition of parcel consolidator Access Worldwide by startup cross-border shipping platform Passport is likely targeted at cost-conscious shippers needing to fulfill small package orders.

Air cargo peak surcharges are increasing on the Asia-US trade as business-to-business (B2B) parcel shippers opt for quicker delivery times to replenish inventories.

AIT Worldwide Logistics expands its e-commerce capabilities and geographical footprint through the acquisition of Fiege Freight Forwarding.

UPS and Amazon are expanding capabilities at smaller airports in Kansas City and Tampa, respectively, to speed up last-mile deliveries.

As e-commerce booms on both sides of the US-Canadian border, Purolator International expands northbound next-day air service between the countries.

The three largest express providers reported improving signs in the sector in their most recent earnings reports, as COVID-hit volumes recovered gradually as the second quarter progressed.

As freight volumes rise, expedited LTL operator Forward Air is expanding capacity by 30 percent at the heart of its airport-to-airport network in Columbus, Ohio.

By launching a door-to-door, less-than-truckload business in Savannah, Forward Air is adding more freight and building density in its airport-to-airport network.

Freighters and converted passenger craft are taking longer to unload than belly freight and some ground handlers are understaffed after furloughs and layoffs in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The acquisition of ScanData gives Transplace broader supply chain reach as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates e-commerce demand.

Traditionally low air freight margins are being further depressed by fierce competition among forwarders to secure limited capacity, with travel bans grounding most of the passenger fleet on east-west trades.

Even when air cargo demand for urgent medical supplies drops off, there is no certainty that recession-hit consumers will resume spending, and if they do, capacity will still be tight as passenger fleets remain grounded.

FedEx expands use of its US ground unit to deliver more air express packages, as e-commerce volumes swell and Amazon ups the competitive ante.

The travails of crab shippers underscore the larger impact COVID-19 is having on North American exporters that face higher outbound air cargo rates because of the removal of belly cargo capacity on passenger jets due to cancellations tied to the disease.

The sudden US travel ban imposed on 12 European countries will hurt an air freight industry still battling to overcome the loss of belly cargo capacity from the suspension of passenger flights to China.

A survey of delivery drivers projects that missed deliveries and time wasted due to outdated and incorrect maps and navigation aids results in $2.5 billion in added costs.

Long-term contracted volume is crucial for airlines setting budgets and forecasts, but in the face of weak demand and a bleak 2020 outlook, forwarders are reluctant to commit.

A worsening political situation and escalating protests have forced the cancelation of an important airline gathering in Hong Kong.

The shortage of slots for all-cargo flights cost Amsterdam Schiphol airport heavily in the first nine months of the year.

Canadian forwarder Manitoulin adds to its US holdings, expanding its global logistics network.

Shippers worry “unreasonable” air freight fees, tighter cargo screening regulations, and the region’s dependence on transshipment could cause Hong Kong to cede more cargo to air and sea ports in southern China.

UPS is targeting cross-border e-commerce sellers with a deferred-delivery shipping product that would cost less than tighter delivery windows, a sign of integrators wanting to tap into forecast growth in international online sales.

The outlook for air cargo is turning negative as carriers face headwinds in the form of trade upheaval and falling demand.

The escalating trade dispute between the US and China is driving keen interest in air freight on the busy trans-Pacific trade routes.

As US airports, terminal operators, and ground handlers are taking heat for rampant truck congestion and cargo delays, two software firms are looking to bring digitization and automation to airport freight handling operations.

The Airforwarders Association’s mission to put an end to congestion at major US airports is already bearing fruit, but forwarders in New York and Boston worry airport efforts won’t address underlying issues.

O'Hare tops New York’s JFK as even more congested, with trucks trying to get their loads in and out of the airport thwarted by vehicular traffic, handling, and operational delays.

The promise of digitization and real-time pricing is forcing the air freight industry to rethink longstanding booking practices.

Speakers at the Cargo Facts EMEA conference in Frankfurt say trade disruptions and booming e-commerce will continue to drive increased global air cargo volume.

After a subdued end to 2018 and trade and with economic hurdles stacking up, there are relatively low expectations for the trans-Pacific air cargo market in 2019.

Of course, many factors can be involved in an air cargo volume uptrend, but this holiday season trade tension and the threat of higher tariffs certainly is one.

Like commercial aviation’s takeoff and landing slot booking system, BRUcloud enables forwarders to reserve guaranteed slot times and designated warehouse dock doors with ground handlers, enabling their truckers to quickly discharge loads or collect shipments.

Three major online buying events — Singles’ Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are coming — and when they are combined with the evolution of the three into global shopping and shipping events, it means more pressure on air freight pipelines.

At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest passenger and 42nd busiest cargo airport, congestion and delays in picking up/dropping off loads are adding wait time surcharges, and in some cases storage expenses, on to already high transport bills.

“Trade wars never produce winners. Governments must remember that prosperity comes from boosting their trade, not barricading economies,” the International Air Transport Association said.

Schiphol’s management said it expected lower overall freighter air traffic movements in the first half, due to capacity constraints, but its longer-term analysis remains encouraging.

However, shippers should still expect some robust peak season pricing from the airlines that are seeking to extend their profitability, which grew at a strong rate in the first quarter.

Life has been good for heavy-lift air cargo operator Antonov after the breakup with its partner, with the company notching job wins in oil and gas, energy, aerospace, agriculture, telecommunications, and other industries. But that, in a sense, was not surprising, given its advantage — seven AN-124-100 freighters with payloads capable of transporting 150 metric tons.