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.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • 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
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • 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
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • 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
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » March air cargo data shows severe capacity shortfall

March air cargo data shows severe capacity shortfall

March air cargo data
April 29, 2020
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Global cargo performance data for March revealed a severe capacity shortfall as airlines continue to deal with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said Tuesday that global demand for air cargo fell by 15.2% in March compared to the year-earlier period, while capacity fell by nearly 23%.

International markets account for 87% of air cargo, IATA said, adding that belly capacity for international air cargo fell by nearly 44% during the month. Those figures were partially offset by a 6.2% increase in capacity through expanded use of freighter aircraft, including the use of idle passenger aircraft for all-cargo operations, the Geneva-based trade group also said.

IATA officials said governments need to act to fill the gap between demand and capacity as the need for supplies to fight the coronavirus continues. They pointed to a doubling of demand for pharmaceutical shipments critical to the crisis as one example.

“With most of the passenger fleet sitting idle, airlines are doing their best to meet demand by adding freighter services, including adapting passenger aircraft to all-cargo activity. But mounting these special operations continues to face bureaucratic hurdles. Governments must cut the red tape needed to approve special flights and ensure safe and efficient facilitation of crew,” Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s director general and CEO, said in a statement.

Key issues airlines face include delays in getting charter permits issued, a lack of exemptions on Covid-19 testing for air cargo crew, and inadequate ground infrastructure to and from and within airport environments, IATA said.

Separately, industry researcher FTR Transportation Intelligence (FTR) said its Shippers Conditions Index for February ticked up considerably, reflecting a “sharply positive freight market” in the United States. The index registered 7.93 in February, up from 3.73 in January, FTR said Tuesday.

The increase ended three straight months of small declines, and researchers said they expect it to increase dramatically over the next few months in response to weak volumes and rates stemming from the Covid-19 crisis. 

“The recent uptick in the Shippers Conditions Index is expected to continue for the next several months, but it does not necessarily mean it is a great time to be a shipper as it flows from the Covid-19-related disruptions,” Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR, said. “The one positive for shippers out of the virus will be a much more positive environment for the balance of 2020 than was expected otherwise. It will take time for capacity and volume to right size and while it does, shippers should be able to obtain favorable terms to ship their goods.”

Transportation Coronavirus Coverage
KEYWORDS FTR IATA
  • Related Articles

    Survey: Consumers okay with longer delivery times

    American Airlines expands cargo-only operations for essential gear—Covid-19 roundup for April 28

    Whip Around Launches Functionality in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Related Events

    Project:Future / Retail & Fashion - Remaining Relevant in the Next Normal

    Project:Future / Grocery - Taking the Fear out of Central Distribution

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

CMA/CGM to add LNG-powered ships to U.S. service

Buyers could target warehousing and fulfillment operations in 2021, investment bank says

North American entries rank high in Toyota Material Handling design contest

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

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Relaxed regulations for drone parcel delivery to take effect in March

  • Gartner survey signals increased investment in resilience over the next two years

  • Increasing Urgency for Vaccine Supplies Drives Launch of New Vaccine Manufacturing Resources on Thomasnet.com

  • What Level of Automation is Right for Your Warehouse?

  • IBM survey says digitalization trends will sweep trucking industry by 2030

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Ef7899d1 1c83 487b 9291 8af692931c96

myQ Dock Management

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Introducing myQ Dock Management. Connect your loading dock equipment and iDock Controls from Poweramp, McGuire, or DLM to the cloud and view your loading activity online with myQ Dock Management.Facilities with myQ can monitor the real-time status of their docks and be proactive in improving efficiency and safety. ...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Time to rethink your lift truck power

  • Warehouse Management System Project Toolkit

  • Solving Talent Management Challenges Now and In the Future

  • Shaping Up Last Mile Delivery to Surpass Customer Expectations

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

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

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing