newstodate.aero
Dec 09, 2009 (newstodate): Before Christmas, the Swedish air cargo scene is marked by extreme turbulence.
-On one hand the Swedish export airfreight has now stabilized, recovering slowly since this autumn although at levels 20-30 percent lower than in the peak years of 2007/2008, says Jorgen Ekwall, Geodis Wilson Sweden national airfreight manager.
-On the other hand, the Swedish import airfreight is simply in a chaotic state! Volumes, especially from China and Hong Kong, are booming and increasing at a fast pace, probably about 50 percent above levels in the previous years.
-The import airfreight situation is now marked by back-logs as airlines have grounded freighters and laid off staff during the recent crisis period, resulting in lack of capacity and three- or fourfold rates hikes in addition to fuel, security and other surcharges that eventually land on the end-customers.
-Right now it is simply very, very difficult to get your shipments home from especially Shanghai and Hong Kong, and other Asian markets are difficult as well, although less so than China.
-The large Asian electronics companies have thrown new products in the market that needs urgent and fast delivery to the European markets in time for Christmas shopping - and in this situation ordinary airfreight shipments take second priority.
-Airlines are clearly very reluctant in their response to the situation. It will take time to reactive grounded freighters as pilots have in many cases been laid off as well, and no-one knows how long the current hype will last.
-Some say it will retreat again from Christmas, others tend to think that it will last at least till the Chinese New Year, by February. No-one knows - and in the meantime we are struggling to secure our customers' shipments, says Mr Ekwall.
-On one hand the Swedish export airfreight has now stabilized, recovering slowly since this autumn although at levels 20-30 percent lower than in the peak years of 2007/2008, says Jorgen Ekwall, Geodis Wilson Sweden national airfreight manager.
-On the other hand, the Swedish import airfreight is simply in a chaotic state! Volumes, especially from China and Hong Kong, are booming and increasing at a fast pace, probably about 50 percent above levels in the previous years.
-The import airfreight situation is now marked by back-logs as airlines have grounded freighters and laid off staff during the recent crisis period, resulting in lack of capacity and three- or fourfold rates hikes in addition to fuel, security and other surcharges that eventually land on the end-customers.
-Right now it is simply very, very difficult to get your shipments home from especially Shanghai and Hong Kong, and other Asian markets are difficult as well, although less so than China.
-The large Asian electronics companies have thrown new products in the market that needs urgent and fast delivery to the European markets in time for Christmas shopping - and in this situation ordinary airfreight shipments take second priority.
-Airlines are clearly very reluctant in their response to the situation. It will take time to reactive grounded freighters as pilots have in many cases been laid off as well, and no-one knows how long the current hype will last.
-Some say it will retreat again from Christmas, others tend to think that it will last at least till the Chinese New Year, by February. No-one knows - and in the meantime we are struggling to secure our customers' shipments, says Mr Ekwall.