Loss of passenger plane cargo space a worry in COVID fight

A loss of vital cargo capacity due to the mass cancelation of passenger flights is being felt by industries ranging from online retail to health care. While dedicated freighters are still flying, the International Air transport Association says more than 185,000 flights have been canceled since the end of January in response to government travel restrictions. IATA says the collapse of passenger demand and dramatic travel restrictions have severely limited air freight capacity. READ: Defiant Korean Air deploys passenger aircraft as freighters. Air freight is instrumental in transporting food and other products purchased online at a time social distancing policies are being implemented by many governments. But the implications of this go far beyond online shopping because air cargo is also used to deliver medicines, medical equipment, spare parts and other time-sensitive materials. Air cargo is also instrumental in transporting food and other products purchased online in support of quarantine and social distancing policies implanted by states. IATA has called on governments to take urgent measures to ensure that air freight will be available to support the global fight against COVID-19. IATA director-general Alexandre de Juniac said vital freight capacity had disappeared at a time it was most urgently needed in the fight against COVID-19. “The world’s fleet of freighter aircraft has been mobilized to make up this capacity shortfall,’’ he said. “Governments must take urgent measures to ensure that vital supply lines remain open, efficient and effective.” IATA has called on governments to:

• Exclude air cargo operations from any COVID-19-related travel restrictions, to ensure life-saving medical products can be transported without disruption
• Ensure that standardized measures are in place so that air freight can continue to move around the world with minimal disruptions
• Exempt air cargo crew members, who do not interact with the public, from 14-day quarantine requirements
• Support temporary traffic rights for freight operations where restrictions may apply
• Remove economic impediments, such as overfly charges, parking fees, and slot restrictions to support air cargo operations during these unprecedented times

“Air cargo carriers are working closely with governments and health organizations around the world to safeguard public health while also keeping the global economy moving,’’ de Juniac said. “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.”