Warning of major shortage of air cargo space in US

Director of the US Air forwarders Association Brandon Fried warns the international freight forwarding market that they should prepare for a severe shortage of air cargo capacity in the US soon.

He reports that container shipping companies are again looking to cut many sailings between China and the US. This will inevitably lead to more air cargo bookings. Also, the air cargo industry is facing a major shortage of space due to the weak recovery of belly capacity, and congestion with airport handlers. There is also a lack of storage capacity, high inflation, and staff shortages.

This whole mix is leading to the “perfect storm” for air freight forwarding fears Fried.

Fried also says he understands that container shipping companies are aiming for high profit margins, but that some of this is now being passed on to the air freight industry. “The congestion at airports is already huge and a huge problem to keep the supply chain running within the U.S.”

A congestion committee has already been set up by the US advocacy group to look for solutions together with authorities and airports. Fried also recommends that freight forwarders greatly improve their “mutual communication and learn to improvise.”