Forwarders must prepare for airfreight volume crunch, says Airforwarders Association

By Rebecca Jeffrey

Better communication is key to managing an oncoming air cargo capacity crunch in the US caused by worsening oceanfreight capacity issues.

The forecasted surge in demand for US air cargo capacity will be largely driven by a lack of sailings with ocean suppliers, but air cargo forwarders must “learn to be adaptable” in the current climate of already constrained airfreight capacity, said Brandon Fried, executive director, Airforwarders Association (AfA).

Although global air cargo capacity is increasing, Fried, told members of the Los Angeles Air Cargo Association (LAACA) that the US capacity crunch will be driven by a perfect storm of cancelled China to US sailings, congestion at US airports, limited warehouse space, the labour shortage and rising inflation

“The challenges for ocean carriers are well documented and we understand that they are looking after profit margins, but air capacity is already constrained by multiple factors,” said Fried.

“Congestion at major airports is exacerbating the strain on supply chains across the US.

“To rise to these challenges, the air forwarding community must better communicate with each other and learn to be adaptable.”

AfA recently launched its Airport Congestion Committee (ACC).

Set up to find realistic solutions to relieve airport congestion, the ACC will present findings to private, public, and government entities as workable policies for urgent new legislation.

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