RISING air freight costs, reduced air capacity and the war in Ukraine are seriously impacting the global air cargo sector, which is already battered by the Covid crisis, says Doha's gulf Times.
'Sanction-related shifts in manufacturing and economic activity, rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty will take their toll on air cargo's performance in the coming months, although it benefited in February compared with January,' the Qatar daily editorialised.
'The negative impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions (particularly higher energy costs and reduced trade) will become more visible in future, according to the global body of airlines - International Air Transport Association (IATA),' it said.
Logistics UK magazine said the cancellation of flights to Russia from the UK, the EU, the US and the closure of airspace above Russia and Ukraine is leading to lengthy detours for air freight, particularly to Asian markets, such as Japan, South Korea and China, the editorial signed Gulf times business editor Pratap John.
'The closure of the direct route via Russia's Siberian air corridor is adding hours to flight times between the UK and Asia, and flight bans are estimated to affect over a fifth of air freight,' he said.
'The significance of air cargo is perhaps best illustrated in the supply of much-needed Covid vaccines and other essential lifesaving drugs around the world, every single day.
'Air cargo is critical in flying these temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals in the best conditions, using cutting-edge technologies and procedures,' the editorial concludes.
SeaNews Turkey
'Sanction-related shifts in manufacturing and economic activity, rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty will take their toll on air cargo's performance in the coming months, although it benefited in February compared with January,' the Qatar daily editorialised.
'The negative impacts of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and related sanctions (particularly higher energy costs and reduced trade) will become more visible in future, according to the global body of airlines - International Air Transport Association (IATA),' it said.
Logistics UK magazine said the cancellation of flights to Russia from the UK, the EU, the US and the closure of airspace above Russia and Ukraine is leading to lengthy detours for air freight, particularly to Asian markets, such as Japan, South Korea and China, the editorial signed Gulf times business editor Pratap John.
'The closure of the direct route via Russia's Siberian air corridor is adding hours to flight times between the UK and Asia, and flight bans are estimated to affect over a fifth of air freight,' he said.
'The significance of air cargo is perhaps best illustrated in the supply of much-needed Covid vaccines and other essential lifesaving drugs around the world, every single day.
'Air cargo is critical in flying these temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals in the best conditions, using cutting-edge technologies and procedures,' the editorial concludes.
SeaNews Turkey