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The latest Air Cargo News & Analysis

Loss of AN-225 in Russian attack a blow to Ukraine's Antonov Airlines

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 2, 2022, 3:21 PM EST

While Antonov's smaller AN-124s continue to operate, restoring the behemoth AN-225 will take five years and cost more than $3 billion, according to the Ukrainian government's news outlet.

Breakbulk carriersAirports

Chartered air cargo capacity floods into trans-Pacific trade

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Feb 22, 2022, 12:26 PM EST

Growing demand for e-commerce is behind forwarder moves to lock in controlled air freight capacity on Asia-US routes, with a particular focus on Vietnam.

Air cargo forwardingAirportsAir cargo carriers

K+N, Cainiao ink long-term charters for last B747 freighters

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Feb 17, 2022, 12:33 PM EST

Sustained demand on the trans-Pacific and limited capacity is pushing forwarders such as Kuehne + Nagel to lock in long-term air cargo charter commitments.

Air Cargo

Flexport lands two trans-Pacific freighters in Eastern Air charter deal

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Feb 15, 2022, 11:35 AM EST

Strong demand and constrained air freight capacity on the Asia-US trade lane has prompted Flexport to secure a strategic agreement to increase access to space on the trans-Pacific.

Air Cargo

Forwarders add Asia air, rail services as Omicron spreads

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jan 28, 2022, 12:26 PM EST

The creativity of service providers is being tested as COVID-19 infections continue to spread around Asia and disrupt regional supply lines.

Air cargo forwardingInternational railAirports

Rate platform Xeneta acquires air freight data specialist CLIVE

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jan 27, 2022, 4:00 AM EST

A strategic takeover by Xeneta will give shippers active in the volatile air freight market access to dynamic load factors, capacity, and rate information.

Air Cargo

Cross-border platform channels pandemic-led growth into venture investment

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jan 25, 2022, 12:01 AM EST

San Francisco-based Passport said it will use $39 million in new funding to expand its outbound parcel platform for US e-commerce sellers looking to manage logistics and trade compliance on international orders.

Logistics technologyAir cargo forwarding

Freightos acquisition expands US digital air cargo footprint

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jan 17, 2022, 10:43 AM EST

The air cargo digitalization momentum that built up through the last two years of the pandemic has accelerated, with a third of global air freight capacity now available through Freightos’ online booking platform.

Air Cargo

Air forwarders expand charter operations to combat lack of belly space

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jan 13, 2022, 11:02 AM EST

Initially considered a temporary measure, some forwarders believe the shift from relying on fixed-price block space agreements with airlines to full charter operations has become permanent.

Air Cargo

GPA to store import containers at Statesboro Airport

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Jan 11, 2022, 12:40 PM EST

The Georgia Ports Authority this week began moving import containers belonging to a US retailer to the spare runway at Statesboro Airport, which has been used to store empty boxes and loaded exports since December.

North American portsAirports

Outlook 2022: Air cargo recovery hinges on easing of Asian border restrictions

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jan 3, 2022, 4:23 PM EST

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hang over the air cargo business, and until regular international travel resumes, shippers will find space in tight supply and rates at elevated levels.

Air CargoAirports

Cathay halts long-haul cargo flights after Hong Kong quarantine extension

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Dec 30, 2021, 2:28 PM EST

An update to new COVID-19 quarantine rules in Hong Kong has prompted Cathay Pacific to halted long-haul freight flights, potentially exacerbating a supply crunch ahead of the Lunar New Year peak.

Air cargo carriers

Hong Kong imposes mandatory quarantine on air cargo pilots

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Dec 29, 2021, 3:40 PM EST

Toughening Hong Kong’s quarantine requirement for air cargo pilots would severely disrupt airfreight operations during peak air cargo season and ahead of China’s Lunar New Year holiday.

AirportsAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Trans-Pac shippers forced out of ocean transport dig deep for air option

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Dec 15, 2021, 10:55 AM EST

The growth in air freight on the trans-Pacific to move auto parts, footwear, and apparel has been significant this year as US shippers try to circumvent the ocean congestion that is delaying imports from Asia.

Air Cargo

Singapore Airlines links to CargoWise for e-bookings

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Dec 10, 2021, 4:34 PM EST

An electronic connection between CargoWise and Singapore Airlines is another sign that digital management of bookings and shipment modifications is gaining momentum in the air cargo market.

Logistics technologyAir CargoAir cargo carriers

No return of air cargo capacity to pre-pandemic levels: Maersk

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Dec 10, 2021, 11:03 AM EST

A structural change in the way airlines serve the international travel market in the future could see smaller planes deployed with reduced belly cargo capacity.

Air Cargo

Congested US airports push trans-Pacific air cargo rate to record high

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Dec 1, 2021, 12:53 PM EST

The bottlenecks that have frustrated ocean shippers all year have spread to air cargo, pushing up rates to stratospheric levels and delaying shipments.

AirportsAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Global air cargo volumes surging on US demand

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 25, 2021, 10:59 AM EST

A strong third quarter for US airlines is expected to spill over into the last three months as demand continues to fill all available space.

Air Cargo

CMA CGM orders four new A350 freighters to boost air cargo group

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 19, 2021, 1:20 PM EST

CMA CGM is making a significant investment in its air cargo division, placing its second direct order for new freighter aircraft.

Air Cargo

Trans-Pacific air cargo rates soar to record levels

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 9, 2021, 9:57 AM EST

No let-up in US demand, and no easing at congested trans-Pacific ocean gateways, is keeping pressure on the capacity challenged air cargo market and pushing rates to levels never seen before.

Air Cargo

Maersk grows global air cargo network with $644 million Senator takeover

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Nov 2, 2021, 3:05 AM EDT

Maersk’s acquisition of Senator and its securing of new and leased aircraft allows the carrier to add controlled air freight capacity for customers, in line with its expanded integrated logistics strategy.

Air Cargo

Increase in EU-US flights not expected to ease air cargo capacity crunch

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Oct 25, 2021, 12:21 PM EDT

The lifting of a trans-Atlantic travel ban on non-US citizens from Nov. 8 comes at a time of peak demand, but is unlikely to address severe space constraints on the busy trade lane.

Air Cargo

JOC Rankings: COVID-19 drove revenue gains for air freight, final-mile providers in 2020

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Oct 22, 2021, 4:27 PM EDT

International air freight and last-mile delivery saw the fastest revenue growth in the transportation sector last year, while industrial transportation suffered.

ForwardingContainer linesTruckingInternational railNorth-American railAir cargo carriersLast mile

CEVA lands new air cargo lithium battery certification

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Oct 13, 2021, 10:34 AM EDT

IATA has moved to standardize the handling procedures of lithium batteries as rising global demand raises concerns over misdeclarations or incorrectly handled shipments.

Air Cargo

Trans-Pacific air freight charters hit $2 million

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Oct 13, 2021, 10:09 AM EDT

The cost of missing online shopping or Christmas deadlines is mounting for air cargo shippers forced out of the congested ocean markets.

Air Cargo

Air cargo capacity fills up ahead of Asia-Europe peak season

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Oct 6, 2021, 2:48 PM EDT

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.

Air cargo carriersAirportsAir cargo forwarding

CMA CGM targets long-haul air cargo market with freighter order

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 29, 2021, 9:54 AM EDT

The two widebody freighters ordered by CMA CGM Air Cargo will expand its direct access to air freight space, most likely in the tightly constrained trade lanes out of Asia.

Air Cargo

Air cargo rates near 2020 record on ocean demand shift

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 21, 2021, 2:28 PM EDT

Worsening port and inland logistics bottlenecks are driving shippers from ocean into the air, increasing rates and kickstarting an early air freight peak season.

Air Cargo

Digital pricing taking air freight ‘out of the darkness’: Webcargo

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 3, 2021, 11:10 AM EDT

Digitalization of the industry is more than just an IT project, and needs greater corporate buy-in from executives in corner offices on the top floor all the way down to workers on the ground, according to Webcargo.

Air Cargo

Air cargo rates rocket to 2021 high on Shanghai lockdown

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 31, 2021, 2:54 PM EDT

Air freight spot rates out of Shanghai shot up this week to the highest they've been this year as the capacity-slashing COVID-19 disruption across China’s major airports hit prices.

Air Cargo

Geodis deploys scheduled freighter in tight air cargo market

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 31, 2021, 9:44 AM EDT

Instead of chartering air freight capacity, Geodis has leased its own branded freighter that will be integrated into the forwarder’s global schedule.

Air Cargo

Shanghai air cargo in holding pattern as backlog builds

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 24, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT

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.

AirportsNorth-American railAir cargo carriersAir cargo forwarding

Asia-US air cargo rates spike on China airport lockdowns

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 20, 2021, 8:47 AM EDT

Air freight rates on the trans-Pacific, although at elevated levels, have been reasonably stable through the summer months, but measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in China are now pushing rates skyward.

Air CargoAirports

Container chaos driving demand for Antonov capacity

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Aug 19, 2021, 3:32 PM EDT

Shippers eager to move computer components, semiconductor chips, and auto production parts are eating up super-heavy air capacity even as demand for traditional OOG cargo improves.

Breakbulk carriersAir Cargo

Latest COVID-19 outbreak leaves China air cargo in disarray

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 13, 2021, 12:35 PM EDT

Measures by China to curb the spread of COVID-19 are leading to growing disruptions to air cargo at the country’s important export gateways.

Air Cargo

Cross-border services startup scoops up parcel consolidator

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor; and Cathy Morrow Roberson, JOC Analyst | Aug 10, 2021, 1:19 PM EDT

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.

Logistics technologyAir cargo forwarding

Global recovery drives air cargo volume to four-year high

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 28, 2021, 3:59 PM EDT

Demand for air freight was flying high in the first half, supported by major economies rebounding from COVID-19 recessions and supply chain disruptions that show no signs of easing.

Air Cargo

Air cargo cost differential with ocean halved: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 12, 2021, 12:18 PM EDT

Air cargo’s competitiveness over ocean has been boosted by the heavily disrupted container shipping market that has held ocean rates at extremely elevated levels for months.

Air Cargo

US, EU importers tap air freight to restock depleted inventories

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 29, 2021, 11:56 AM EDT

Air freight is increasingly being called in to replenish urgent retail stocks as sustained consumer demand in the US and Europe cleans out inventories.

Air Cargo

Air cargo will go to ‘highest bidder’ in early peak rush: forwarders

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 16, 2021, 2:48 PM EDT

South China port delays are expected to last for months, pushing shippers into the air in greater numbers for an early peak season where they will be met by tight space and soaring rate levels.

Air Cargo