Red Sea crisis makes Zara and others hop on to belly space of passenger aircraft
Tensions in the Red Sea region prompt US and Europe-bound exporters to shift to air transport via Gulf nations. Major companies like Zara use freighters, while others utilize cargo space in passenger aircraft. As sea routes become less favorable, ...
Major companies like Zara have been using freighters, while other exporters are now also opting for the belly, or cargo space, in passenger aircraft for deliveries. Even garment exporters from Bangladesh are using Delhi airport for faster cargo transport, with DIAL facilitating more freighters.
Due to increased shipping time and costs via the longer sea route around the Cape of Good Hope, exporters are exploring quicker options, especially when buyers demand speedy deliveries.
An official from Fieo said, "Many exporters are using sea and air transport to save both on time and cost, particularly of footwear, apparel, electronics, and high-value low-volume engineering goods."
Despite the higher cost, air cargo has become more favored due to the extended shipping duration, attributed to heightened demand. The Apparel Export Promotion Council has raised concerns about Bangladesh garments occupying freighter and aircraft capacity, urging customs authorities to reconsider allowing these shipments via Delhi airport.
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Government officials shared that approximately 20% of such cargo is transported in the aircraft's belly, with the remaining 80% carried by freighters. At Delhi airport, the monthly belly capacity was around 95,000 tonnes, with 20-25% utilized from January to March. However, cargo originating from Bangladesh only accounted for around 4% of the capacity at IGI airport.
Amidst discussions, a source mentioned, "It is possible that there is more pressure in planes heading to Europe, with higher capacity utilization. The government has suggested exporters collaborate to hire freighters, and DIAL is open to providing slots for this purpose."
As exporters navigate challenges in the shipping industry, a combination of sea and air transport has become essential for efficient and timely deliveries to meet market demands. With the evolving dynamics in trade routes, strategic solutions and collaborative efforts are key to optimizing cargo transport operations.
