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The latest Air Cargo News & Analysis

UPS, Amazon expand domestic air services to deliver e-commerce goods faster

Cathy Morrow Roberson, Senior Contributor | Sep 11, 2020, 4:12 PM EDT

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

Air cargo forwarding

Logistics industry squares up to COVID-19 vaccine challenge

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 8, 2020, 10:42 AM EDT

Intense preparations are underway among logistics and air transport providers to ensure a coronavirus vaccine can be distributed around the world as soon as it is available.

Air Cargo

Rising demand tightens China air freight space

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 7, 2020, 8:16 AM EDT

Air cargo volume continues to narrow the gap with year over year levels, with rates rising at the end of August as both freight tonnage and capacity increased.

Air Cargo

Purolator expands US-Canada next-day service

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Aug 31, 2020, 5:46 PM EDT

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

Air cargo forwarding

Air cargo rates from China set for Q4 takeoff

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 28, 2020, 12:07 PM EDT

Average air freight spot rates on the trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe trade lanes weakened this week, but forwarders and analysts are predicting that rising demand will drive rates back up in the fourth quarter.

Air Cargo

Parked planes keep squeeze on air cargo capacity

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 13, 2020, 10:48 AM EDT

Rising outbreaks of the coronavirus are keeping travel restrictions in place, preventing airlines from reactivating their grounded international capacity and severely restricting available freight space.

Air Cargo

Forwarders losing leverage as airlines adjust space agreements

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Aug 11, 2020, 11:04 AM EDT

Severely limited air cargo capacity has forced airlines to scrap many block space deals held with forwarders at a time when spot rates on the major east-west trades are at high levels.

Air Cargo

FedEx Express increases temporary surcharge on trans-Pac air cargo

Cathy Morrow Roberson, Senior Contributor | Aug 10, 2020, 3:34 PM EDT

FedEx Express has increased its temporary international COVID-19 surcharge, weighing the extra costs of air cargo capacity limits as businesses struggle to stay afloat.

Air Cargo

International air cargo volumes show monthly gains

Cathy Morrow Roberson, Senior Contributor | Aug 5, 2020, 2:56 PM EDT

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.

Air cargo forwarding

Slow, but steady, liftoff for air cargo e-bookings

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Jul 28, 2020, 2:46 PM EDT

The air cargo industry is gradually moving to electronic bookings between forwarders and airlines, but the evolution could still take time if previous digitization initiatives in the industry are any indication.

Logistics technologyAir CargoAir cargo carriers

Belly cargo space won't return to pre-pandemic level until 2024: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 28, 2020, 2:23 PM EDT

Airlines and forwarders say spiking coronavirus infections in the US and developing countries will likely keep air cargo capacity in tight supply and elevate rate levels for a long time.

Air Cargo

Forward Air expands Ohio LTL hub amid volume rebound

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jul 27, 2020, 2:43 PM EDT

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.

Air cargo forwardingLTL

Capacity-constrained air cargo raises red flag for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 24, 2020, 11:11 AM EDT

With global capacity unable to meet current demand, air cargo’s next challenge will be to find enough capacity to handle any massive rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Air Cargo

Forward Air expands into over-the-road LTL

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jul 13, 2020, 4:25 PM EDT

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.

LTLAir cargo forwarding

Asia air cargo exports show signs of recovery

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 3, 2020, 11:44 AM EDT

There were encouraging signs for air cargo in June, but uncertainty over demand patterns and available capacity is clouding the industry outlook through the summer.

Air Cargo

Air cargo rates fall, but historic highs likely through summer

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 23, 2020, 11:30 AM EDT

While the urgent demand for medical supplies is waning and air freight rates are coming off record highs in May, market fundamentals are likely to keep prices above last year’s levels.

Air Cargo

Air freight rates in steep dive off record May highs

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 18, 2020, 11:36 AM EDT

Softening demand for medical supplies as some countries build inventory and get on top of coronavirus infections has reduced the urgency of shipments and cut air cargo rates in half since mid-May.

Air Cargo

Uneven air cargo demand congesting major US hubs

Chris Barnett, Special Correspondent | Jun 11, 2020, 11:16 AM EDT

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.

Air cargo forwarding

Air cargo rates will be nearly one-third higher than 2019: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 9, 2020, 12:35 PM EDT

Air cargo prices have begun to decline from the mid-May highs, but with the withdrawn passenger belly freight unlikely to make a rapid comeback, rates will remain well above last year’s levels.

Air Cargo

Tight space insulates trans-Atlantic air cargo rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 4, 2020, 10:23 AM EDT

Air freight carriers are reporting high load factors on trades between Europe and the US, as falling demand continues to outstrip the available capacity.

Air Cargo

JOC Uncharted: No visibility for air cargo demand, rates in Q3

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 3, 2020, 1:00 PM EDT

While air freight demand for medical supplies is expected to fall starting in mid-June, it remains unclear how much of that volume will be replaced by rising consumer demand and whether there will be enough capacity to carry the cargo.

Air Cargo

3PL Transplace jumps into parcel market

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jun 2, 2020, 5:56 PM EDT

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

Truck brokersAir cargo forwarding

Air freight rates fall on easing capacity-demand imbalance

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jun 2, 2020, 1:54 PM EDT

The urgent need for medical equipment is beginning to slow as countries begin to emerge from COVID-19 lockdowns, with rates falling as airlines make more use of passenger planes for all-cargo flights.

Air Cargo

Future of air cargo industry unclear as recovery begins

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 22, 2020, 1:34 PM EDT

As countries across Europe and North America begin to emerge from lockdowns that in some cases have been in place since early March, attention in the air cargo industry is shifting to the recovery phase.

Air Cargo

Air cargo capacity concerns fade, but rates still rising

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 19, 2020, 11:38 AM EDT

The number of passenger planes flying in all-cargo roles has risen past 1,200 as carriers try to utilize their grounded fleets and generate revenue amid coronavirus-driven travel bans.

Air Cargo

Air freight software providers link up on digital booking

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | May 19, 2020, 6:00 AM EDT

A partnership between airfreight software specialist WebCargo and cargo airline management platform IBS will enable carriers to quote more efficiently, and electronically, to forwarders.

Air cargo carriersLogistics technology

Microsoft, FedEx partner to enhance supply chain visibility

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | May 18, 2020, 5:24 PM EDT

Combining FedEx’s logistics network with Microsoft’s AI, machine-learning, and cloud-computing capabilities, the companies plan to offer much more granular, near-real-time visibility for entire supply chains, as well as individual shipments.

Logistics technologyTruckingAir Cargo

Lack of options has low-value air cargo moving at high-value rates

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 7, 2020, 12:11 PM EDT

The PPE filling all available air cargo capacity is manufactured by the millions of units in China, and even though the cost of producing the protective equipment has increased sharply, that cost can still be measured in cents and fractions of cents.

Air Cargo

Heavy PPE demand overwhelms China’s airport hubs

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 6, 2020, 9:54 AM EDT

Global demand for medical supplies has not let up, but stricter customs rules are leading to lengthy delays at Chinese hub airports.

Air CargoAirports

No stopping sky-high air cargo prices on ex-China routes

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | May 4, 2020, 2:52 PM EDT

The lack of available belly capacity on the major east-west trades amid sustained and heavy demand continues to ramp up rates for essential cargo shipments.

Air Cargo

Higher margins elude Asia air freight forwarders

Special Correspondent Keith Wallis | May 1, 2020, 10:33 AM EDT

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.

Air cargo forwarding

COVID-19 underscores need for tech investment: C. H. Robinson

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 30, 2020, 3:24 PM EDT

The largest US logistics provider is prioritizing technology spending as the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates why more automation and digitization is needed.

Logistics technologyMaritimeTruckingTruck brokersAir Cargo

Global recession will weigh on air cargo recovery: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 29, 2020, 10:21 AM EDT

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.

Air cargo forwarding

Surge in pandemic B2C deliveries taxes UPS

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 28, 2020, 5:10 PM EDT

The COVID-19 pandemic has flipped UPS’s business, with nearly 70 percent of package volume now residential. That means more mileage, more stops, and more costs.

TruckingAir Cargo

Record air freight rates recorded on ex-China routes

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 24, 2020, 11:22 AM EDT

Air freight capacity is struggling to keep up with soaring demand for medical equipment from coronavirus-hit Europe and the US that will keep China factories open through the Labor Day holidays.

Air Cargo

Soaring air cargo rates cannot hide industry in trouble: IATA

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 14, 2020, 3:41 PM EDT

There is no sign yet of falling demand for essential medical equipment that is behind the steep rise in air cargo rates, but the revenue-crushing loss of passenger traffic has airlines fighting for survival.

Air Cargo

Air freight forwarders struggle in COVID-19 economy

Chris Barnett, Special Correspondent | Apr 14, 2020, 2:29 PM EDT

Air freight forwarders are attempting to navigate the pandemic-driven economy, but the lack of business has resulted in sharp revenue declines and layoffs, and may cause widespread consolidation in the sector.

Air Cargo

China-Europe air cargo rates hit new highs on medical demand

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Apr 6, 2020, 3:23 PM EDT

A shortage of protective medical equipment and limited air cargo capacity to supply hospitals is ramping up China-Europe air freight prices.

Air Cargo

Air cargo capacity drying up for non-emergency shipments

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Mar 24, 2020, 11:59 AM EDT

Tightness in air cargo capacity is unlikely to ease as the global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increases demand for medical supplies and perishables.

Air Cargo

FedEx leans into e-commerce, optimizing last mile

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 19, 2020, 11:41 AM EDT

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.

Logistics technologyTruckingAir cargo forwarding