Global air transport body urges governments to keep air freight flowing

17th March 2020 By: Rebecca Campbell - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Global air transport body urges governments to keep air freight flowing

Alexandre de Juniac
Photo by: IATA

The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has highlighted the importance of air cargo in helping countries fight the Covid-19 pandemic. And it has called on governments to take urgent steps to make sure that air freight will be available to continue to support the worldwide campaign against the coronavirus.

Air cargo is transported both by dedicated freighter aircraft and in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft with a large proportion of it flown by airliners. But the global collapse in air passenger demand has resulted in many airliners being taken out of use and “parked”. This has very significantly reduced the available freight capacity.

Air freight has been transporting essential medicines, medical equipment, spare parts and components for such equipment, as well as maintaining global supply chains for time-sensitive operations. It has also been transporting food and other goods, bought online, thereby supporting various national social distancing and quarantine policies. Iata urged governments to ensure that air cargo would continue to be available to fulfill these missions.

“Over 185 000 passenger flights have been cancelled since the end of January in response to government travel restrictions,” stressed Iata director-general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac. “With this, vital cargo capacity has disappeared when it is most urgently needed in the fight against Covid-19. The world’s fleet of freighter aircraft has been mobilised to make up this capacity shortfall. Governments must take urgent measures to ensure that vital supply lines remain open, efficient and effective.”

Steps that governments must take include exempting the crew members of freighter aircraft, who do not encounter the public, from 14-day quarantine measures and exempting air cargo operations from Covid-19 travel restrictions. Standardised measures should be implemented, to allow air freight to move globally with minimum disruption. Temporary traffic rights for cargo operations should be supported, in cases where restrictions apply. Economic impediments to air freight, such as parking fees, “slot” restrictions and overflight charges, should be removed during the crisis.

“Air cargo carriers are working closely with governments and health organisations around the world to safeguard public health while also keeping the global economy moving,” he emphasised. “Today, as we fight a global health war against Covid-19, governments must take urgent action to facilitate air cargo. Keeping cargo flowing will save lives.”