China reopening to impact air cargo

The airfreight industry is expecting renewed cargo capacity and demand as China relaxes its zero-COVID-19 policy and drops quarantine requirements for international air passenger arrivals beginning Jan. 8. “[A]n increase in business travel equals more trade,” according to Denmark-based forwarder Scan Global Logistics’ latest market update. “Overseas companies in Europe and U.S. will once again be able to do business in China in the way they have been accustomed to and thus regain confidence in China being the No. 1 ‘factory of the world.’” However, staff shortages in airports and cargo-handling facilities remain likely due to rising COVID-19 cases in China , bringing back the “congestion ghost that has tormented the industry in recent years,” according to the report. [caption id="attachment_57131794" align="alignright" width="368"] An aircraft operated by Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. takes off from the Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong, China.[/caption] Most widebodies still active Chinese airlines are likely to be the initial beneficiaries once the country resumes international flights, as most have kept their widebody planes in service during the pandemic. Less than one-fifth of China's widebody fleet of about 500 planes is in storage, with most planes active but flying fewer hours than usual on domestic routes and limited international and cargo flights, according to aviation analytics company Cirium. In contrast, many foreign carriers retired large numbers of widebody planes during the pandemic and have since struggled to add capacity. Chinese airlines have also retained most of their pilots and cabin crew during the pandemic and the country’s airports have kept about 90% of their staff. Airlines such as Lufthansa, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Qantas Airways said last week they are assessing plans for China flights but have not announced increases.

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