We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Airlines convert passenger flights to cargo charters as Covid-19 travel bans bite

Airlines convert passenger flights to cargo charters as Covid-19 travel bans bite

Travel restrictions and business closures hobble revenues, threaten solvency, airline groups say.

American Airlines cargo
March 24, 2020
Ben Ames
No Comments

Travel restrictions and business closures tied to the Covid-19 outbreak have caused airlines worldwide to cancel a significant percentage of their passenger schedules, a move that has heavily impacted the logistics supply chain that relies on “belly capacity” in those jets to fly freight on these scheduled services.

In response, some airlines are now identifying flexible opportunities to use their aircraft as efficiently as possible, such as making passenger aircraft available for charters, or introducing new scheduled cargo flights, according to the Coral Gables, Florida-based online payment company PayCargo.

For example, Ceva Logistics, Delta Cargo, and Dachser have added dozens of charter flights to their regular schedules. And American Airlines has announced cargo-only flights, repurposing its passenger aircraft that have been grounded by the Trump Administration’s ban on most travel between the U.S. ad Europe, and using those plans to move freight between the U.S. and Europe.

American’s first cargo-only flight traveled from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on March 20, marking the first scheduled cargo-only fight since 1984 when American retired the last of its Boeing 747 freighters. Each of the modern Boeing 777-300 planes can carry more than 100,000 pounds, and the loads are scheduled to contain materials related to the Covid-19 crisis, such as: medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and electronics that will support people working from home, and e-commerce packages. 

“We have a critical role to play in keeping essential goods moving during this unprecedented time, and we are proud to do our part and find ways to continue to serve our customers and our communities,” Rick Elieson, American Airlines’ president of cargo and vice president of international operations, said in a release. “Challenging times call for creative solutions, and a team of people across the airline has been working nonstop to arrange cargo-only flight options for our customers.” 

The move comes as airlines’ revenues are plummeting due to flight bans as well as international and regional travel restrictions, according to Geneva, Switzerland-based air industry trade group The International Air Transport Association (IATA).

That rapid change has outstripped the ability of airlines to balance their books through extensive cost cutting measures, prompting IATA to launch a worldwide campaign petitioning governments to provide emergency support to airlines. “Stopping the spread of COVID-19 is the top priority of governments. But they must be aware that the public health emergency has now become a catastrophe for economies and for aviation,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO, said in a release. “The scale of the current industry crisis is much worse and far more widespread than 9/11, SARS or the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. Airlines are fighting for survival.”

Under these strained conditions, shippers are often left searching for new capacity to move their cargo. In response, PayCargo today said it has launched a free communication mechanism via its online payment platform that allows freight vendors such as airlines, ship terminals, and maritime operators to share key information with the 20,000-plus shippers in the company’s system.

The service will allow carriers to communicate the availability of new capacity options to shippers, which is intended to bridge a communication gap and facilitate the movement of goods throughout the broader cargo and shipping community, Paycargo President and CEO of the Americas, Lionel van der Walt, said in a release.

“While this may not be our core business, we feel that we need to do our bit to help the cargo community in this crisis and it is all about helping the wider freight community which is facing so many challenges globally,” van der Walt said. “Collaboration between stakeholders is vital in this time of crisis and the supply chain needs to work together as much as possible for the greater good to help keep the freight moving as seamlessly as possible through the supply chain.”

To see all our coverage of the coronavirus crisis and how it's affecting logistics issues, check DC Velocity’s dedicated landing page for the latest journalism by our team of editors.

 

Our first cargo-only flight, since 1984, departed from @DFWAirport to Frankfurt, Germany, filled with medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and e-commerce packages. pic.twitter.com/ZgNFSTFf2e

— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) March 20, 2020
Transportation Coronavirus Coverage
KEYWORDS CEVA Logistics Dachser Delta Cargo
  • Related Articles

    Industry groups urge Americans to “thank a trucker”

    Air cargo carriers add charter flights to maintain freight capacity despite Covid-19 travel restrictions

    Covid-19 fight rocks business world as White House freezes passenger traffic between U.S. and Europe

Benames
Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

Recent Articles by Ben Ames

Ohio says Norfolk Southern lawsuit will make sure railroad “keeps its word” on cleanup

U.S. regulators approve merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern

Port of Savannah gains national market share

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Wireless technology could help electric trucks charge more safely, efficiently

  • Thoma Bravo completes $8 billion buyout of Coupa Software

  • Be like Fred

  • Fast DCs require layers of automation

  • WMS feels the squeeze

Now Playing on DCV-TV

2f715622 41f7 4b52 a574 f3a223194538

What’s really going on in the freight markets?

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
There has been a lot of uncertainty about where the freight market is headed. We’re still seeing a mismatch of supply and demand in the freight market, along with conditions that call for scenario planning. Additionally, logistics and supply chain issues have continued to become a higher priority amongst...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The Future of Fleet Management: 5 Trends and Influences That Will Drive Logistics in 2023

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing