The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is again urging governments around the world to ensure air cargo supply lines stay open, efficient, and effective.
The group said the grounding of passenger aircraft fleets around the world has reduced the number of planes shipping cargo. Normally, the group said, passenger planes transport about half of all air cargo shipments. Airlines, the group said, are scrambling to fill the void by re-introducing freighter services and using passenger planes for cargo operations. However, government regulations are an obstacle to making necessary changes.
“Air cargo is a vital partner in the global fight against COVID-19. But we are still seeing examples of cargo flights filled with life-saving medical supplies and equipment grounded due to cumbersome and bureaucratic processes to secure slots and operating permits. These delays are endangering lives. All governments need to step up to keep global supply chains open,” IATA Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.
The group is asking for key manufacturing hubs in Asia to fast track procedures for overflight and landing permits for cargo operations, exempting flight crew members from 14-day quarantines, supporting temporary traffic rights for cargo operations, removing charges and fees that may impede operations, and removing operating hour curfews for cargo flights.
The importance of air cargo operations was also recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Around the world, the frontline health workers who fight against COVID- 19 need to be continuously supplied with necessary medical equipment and protective material. It is our collective duty to keep these supply lines open by continuing air cargo operations. The scale-down of air passenger flow is seriously hurting our scheduled freight operations. We call on airline companies and governments to join the global effort to ensure dedicated freight capacity continues to operate on previously high volume passenger routes that are now closed down,” says Paul Molinaro, Chief, Operations Support and Logistics, WHO.
The group said many airlines are already changing operations to ensure supplies are reaching those who need them, including:
• Delta, American, and United have started cargo-only flights, using passenger aircraft domestically and internationally to bolster depressed global airfreight capacity
• Air Canada, Aeromexico, Austrian, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Iberia, Korean, LATAM Lufthansa, Qantas, Scoot, Swiss and many other carriers have made some passenger aircraft in their fleets available for chartered cargo operations
• FedEx Express has helped the US government transport COVID-19 test specimens from more than 50 remote drive-thru testing centers at major retailers across 12 states.
• The UPS Foundation has expanded its relief response to Coronavirus, delivering urgent medical supplies, food and housing, and financial assistance to aid in recovery efforts.
“Air cargo is on the front line, not only fighting COVID-19 but ensuing that global supply chains are maintained for the most time-sensitive materials including food and other products purchased online in support of quarantine and social distancing policies implemented by states. But we can only continue to do this if we work together with the support of governments. Keeping supply lines open also supports jobs in local economies, for example, producers of perishables in Africa and Latin America. We are stronger together,” said Glyn Hughes, IATA Global Head of Air Cargo.