Air cargo forwarding

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.

E-commerce and pharmaceuticals are driving up air cargo volume and leading the industry into a period of sustainable growth.

Aligning capacity with fluctuating demand and sticker-shock pricing is always a tough dance in the air cargo spot market, and it is getting more difficult.

Driven by rising e-commerce sales, last year saw a 9.5 percent surge in global air freight tonnage for the 12 months ended Nov. 2017 — the industry’s strongest performance since the global financial crisis of 2010; and the uptrend is expected to continue in 2018.

<p>The new facility near the El Paso International Airport will serve shippers in what is called “the Borderplex” — a manufacturing region stretching out from the cities of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.</p>

<p>The recovering air cargo market is generating unprecedented growth at selected airports in Asia and Europe.</p>

Strong and sustained air cargo volume pouring through Europe is having positive and negative effects on the airport gateways.

Global air logistics leaders say their focus for 2018 continues to be on technology and processes.

Peak season demand is using up all available capacity and pushing up rates to unheard of levels.

Shippers are scrambling for space on aircraft and paying more for their cargo as robust volume in Asia-Europe and Asia-North America trades quickly mop up available capacity.

The sales figures surrounding China's Single's Day are predictably large, but the online shopping promotion continues robust 2017 e-commerce demand that is driving up air cargo volume.

Netherlands airport hub Schiphol is considering a government proposal aimed at solving its landing rights crisis impacting all-cargo flights.

Peak season still on the way.

Heathrow continues to outpace growth at Frankfurt airport.

All regions posted growth.

Schiphol’s second-quarter results are the latest in a string of strong performances by European airports and cargo airlines.

Nittsu Research Institute and Consulting Inc. has revised upward its fiscal year outlook for growth in Japan’s air cargo trade.

Europe’s fourth-largest air cargo hub handled 142,349 tonnes.

All regions except Latin America posted double-digit growth.

The strong growth in air cargo volumes out of Asia has continued through April, driven by international demand.

Japan’s international air cargo trade will rise for the second successive year.

March was a good month for the Asian air cargo industry, with the recovering markets accelerating further on rising regional import-export activity.

Forward Air has expanded its US Midwest-focused drayage footprint to the Southeast.

BCOs are looking to air freight as an alternative to shipping cargo from North Europe to Asia as ocean space remains tight.

The fines could total $850 million.

The increase will be the second consecutive year of growth.