Route management: Flexibility and speed count in the face of crisis

When natural disaster or war restricts flights in certain regions, air cargo carriers must demonstrate flexibility and shift their operations to ensure supply chains remain intact. 

When Russian airspace closed to U.S. carriers in 2022 after the country invaded Ukraine, carriers were forced to make fuel and route adjustments to account for longer travel times on Asia-Europe routes. For example, FedEx quickly added a tech stop at its Dubai International Airport (DXB) hub to accommodate crew changes, giving pilots adequate time to rest, FedEx told Cargo Facts.  

FedEx’s operational teams worked with airport and government officials on adjustments, while its sales teams communicated the lengthier transit times to customers, the integrator said. 

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP) made similar adjustments in response to the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, the carrier told Cargo Facts. While airspace over the Middle East is open, continued geopolitical instability has caused many carriers to halt flights to Israel and other countries in the region. 

Immediate response 

Cargo carriers typically have procedures that enable swift responses to route disruptions caused by natural disaster, geopolitical tensions or other concerns. 

“If something is extremely sudden, to the point that flights are already being engaged and something needs to change, then it’s really a process that would be at the discretion of the captain with flight safety in mind,” Leonard Rodrigues, director of revenue management and network planning at Etihad Cargo, told Cargo Facts.  

“The way we prepare for it is, everywhere we fly, we always have possible deviations.” — Leonard Rodrigues, director of revenue management and network planning at Etihad Cargo

On the freighter side, the carrier looks at possible diversion airports ahead of time to ensure the airports have the infrastructure needed for that flight and its cargo, Rodrigues said. For instance, a freighter carrying perishables needs to land at an airport with adequate temperature-controlled cargo areas. 

For less immediate but still sudden disruptions, Etihad Cargo’s Network Operations Control team analyzes the situation. The carrier’s freight team uses that analysis to find adjustments that enable Etihad Cargo to remain operational while maintaining safety. 

Register here for Cargo Facts’ upcoming free webinar, “Air cargo route networks: Strategies for improved results and greater efficiencies,” on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 11 a.m. ET.

Short-term response 

In an emergency, Lufthansa Cargo evaluates the situation and its own operations, Felix Zielinski, head of emergency response at Lufthansa Cargo, told Cargo Facts. 

“This examination includes [checking] if other transport modes may be possible and potentially switching to alternative routes,” Zielinski said. 

But responding to a crisis is not just about avoiding a particular area. It is about mitigating issues that arise when doing so. 

“Avoiding airspace over conflict zones — such as Russia or areas of the Middle East — has significant operational consequences. Flight paths become longer, fuel consumption rises and aircraft utilization can be reduced.” — AFKLMP

“In the short term, this results in lower capacity and more complex crew scheduling,” AFKLMP told Cargo Facts. “Over the long term, it may lead to revised flight schedules, updated fleet plans and increased reliance on more adaptable aircraft types.” 

To mitigate these effects, AFKLMP employs a multipronged strategy that includes: 

• Flight planning supported by real-time data; 
• Flexible use of freighter and bellyhold capacity; 
• Optimized network connectivity between its main hubs in Amsterdam (AMS) and Paris (CDG); 
• Communication with air traffic authorities for route alternatives; and 
• Collaboration with partners to find alternative transport. 

Data analysis 

The FedEx Global Operations Control (GOC) department continuously works to manage the carrier’s schedule. The GOC team comprises about 185 specialists who plan and track thousands of flights each day, FedEx told Cargo Facts. The team uses an asset-tracking board to visually depict international linehaul operations in real time. 

“This board provides a wealth of information about hundreds of international flights for a running seven-day period,” FedEx said. “Tracking flight status and shipment movements in real time also allows us to alert customers to potential service interruptions and impacts to transit times.”  

“Proactive planning allows us to address potential delay impacts before they materialize.” — FedEx

The GOC team relies on assessments to determine if it is safe for FedEx employees to operate in affected locations. 

Humanitarian aid 

Some crises create supply chain obstacles when a robust supply chain is most needed, namely to provide humanitarian aid.  

Carriers often rely on partnerships with NGOs and nonprofits to deliver aid to those in need. For instance, Lufthansa Cargo maintains a long-time partnership with the German Red Cross and Germany’s Aktion Deutschland Hilft relief coalition. 

“One of the first steps is the checking of the infrastructure on site to see if operations are still possible and employees’ safety is ensured,” Zielinski said. “We have implemented a comprehensive framework and processes to react quickly in such situations.” 

Rapid-response humanitarian relief organization Airlink routinely teams up with multiple airline partners to bring aid to areas affected by disaster. Most recently, Airlink and its airline partners brought relief to Texas following devastating flooding in July. 

Freight forwarder partnerships 

Carriers rely on freight forwarders as well as NGOs and nonprofits in an emergency. 

“Our logistic partners take care of customs and documents, amongst other things, that still need to be managed in such situations,” Lufthansa Cargo’s Zielinski said. “A close cooperation also helps us to work quickly, efficiently and in a professional manner, which is crucial in tense situations.” 

Freight forwarders help reconfigure supply chains, coordinate multimodal alternatives and manage communications with shippers, AFKLMP said. Freight forwarders’ flexible networks allows shipments to reach their destinations even when direct air services are disrupted, the carrier said. 

Long-term benefits 

An emergency in the short term can open new opportunities, by shifting trade lanes, converting sea freight to air cargo and more. 

“Sometimes short-term shifts can lead to long-term optimizations or new opportunities,” Lufthansa Cargo’s Zielinski said. “Nevertheless, it goes hand in hand with increased planning and considerations, for example regarding fuel costs, crew planning, rotation planning, etc.” 

And, of course, not all supply chain disruptions affect air cargo. For instance, Lufthansa Cargo has benefited from the attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea. Shipments that would once have gone by sea have instead been booked with airlines, Zielinski said. 

Canceled routes from one carrier can also offer charter opportunities to another carrier.  

Earlier this year, “for a hurricane in the French Indian ocean areas, Air France jumped in to operate a few freighter flights,” Carl Hendriks, director of network planning and full freighter management at AFKLMP, previously told Cargo Facts. “In terms of natural disasters, we have the option to offer charter flights.” 

Future-proofing 

While it is impossible to predict every disruption, many forwarders and carriers have analysts who monitor geopolitical tensions and early reports of natural disasters, giving the companies lead-time to create alternate plans. 

“In general, Lufthansa Cargo reviews its network on a constant basis,” Zielinski said. “With a broad and flexible network, we are able to react to unforeseen events or economic shifts, even on short notice.” 

Carriers look at regional stability before launching new cargo routes, AFKLMP said. 

“We conduct geopolitical risk assessments, review regulatory and customs procedures, assess infrastructure robustness, and forecast long-term demand,” the carrier said. “Contingency planning is built into our route development process to ensure agility in the face of sudden changes.” 

Cargo Facts Symposium, the quintessential event for stakeholders and key leaders in the global freighter and air cargo industries, will take place Oct. 22-24 at the Grand Hyatt in Nashville. Learn more and register today to take advantage of the early-bird rate before Sept. 5.