FedEx teams up with Reliable Robotics on autonomous cargo planes

The logistics company is looking at putting the aircraft in "very remote and uninhabited areas" of its network, CEO Fred Smith told investors this week.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 25, 2020

Strong airfreight demand in China and Singapore spur Boeing 737 orders and new conversion lines

New orders for Boeing converted freighters and two new conversion lines are signs that air cargo capacity is increasing amid the high demand caused by the pandemic.

By A.B. Brown • Sept. 23, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Peak season management

Higher peak season surcharges are one risk for shippers to manage this year.

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Amazon Air booms as worldwide air cargo falls

Air cargo volume is down compared to 2019, which means merchants still looking for capacity are fighting for the little space that's left on the market.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 16, 2020

Airfreight rates expected to stay elevated through peak due to loss of belly capacity

Freighter capacity increased 29% in July compared to the same month last year, but the gains were not enough to offset a 70% dip in belly capacity.

By Matt Leonard • Sept. 2, 2020

Peak season in a pandemic: What happens to freight rates and capacity?

Metrics and economic factors can help shippers gauge capacity and rates for air, ocean, trucking and rail heading into freight's busy season.

By Matt Leonard • Aug. 20, 2020

CH Robinson draws airfreight demand with belly capacity down 70% in June

The carrier's airfreight revenue and pricing increased despite hauling less volume — a dichotomy highlighting the struggle shippers face in the current environment.

By Matt Leonard • July 30, 2020

United Airlines stands out with 36% revenue growth in cargo

The airline operated 3,800 cargo-only flights to transport 204 million pounds of cargo during the second quarter.

By Matt Leonard • July 23, 2020

FAA says airlines can clear seats for cargo as airfreight rates, new coronavirus cases rise

Airlines for America applied for the exemption to remove seats on May 6, arguing it was in the public interest that the planes be available to move essential cargo during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Matt Leonard • Updated July 15, 2020

May airfreight data hints at recovery, FedEx doesn't expect capacity to normalize until 2021

Freight capacity fell more than volume, creating a supply-demand gap and a challenge for shippers to find air cargo space.

By Matt Leonard • July 6, 2020

UPS lowers peak surcharge on China-US shipments starting Sunday

The reduction coincides with a gradual calming of airfreight demand and rates, but surcharges remain above the amount announced in March. 

By Shefali Kapadia • June 26, 2020

FEMA winds down PPE flights as 'supply chain is stabilizing'

Brokers have said the PPE procurement process is nowhere near normal, and the agency has an agreement with airline partners to redeploy Project Airbridge if needed. 

By S.L. Fuller • June 24, 2020

Kuehne + Nagel extends 2030 net-zero carbon goal to include suppliers, contractors

The new target incorporates contracted services and purchases, adding nearly 60 times the emissions to measure and manage compared to the company's previous 2010 goal.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 24, 2020

Shippers should embed carrier financial health into resilience plans as pandemic upends logistics

As supply chain leaders shift their focus to increasing resilience, they will need to consider multi-modal, multi-carrier logistics plans, according to CSCMP's State of Logistics Report.

By Matt Leonard • June 23, 2020

Airfreight rates from China to US begin falling back to earth

Demand for transporting PPE via air has fallen as shippers build up inventories, but aifreight rates remained up 65% year over year through June 8.

By Matt Leonard • June 22, 2020

CH Robinson flexes muscle to wrangle PPE supply chains

The struggle to procure PPE has led states and hospital systems to lean on the procurement and logistics skills of private players.

By Emma Cosgrove • June 18, 2020

DHL Express expands hiring as peak season volumes continue through summer

The carrier is opening 400 full- and part-time positions at three major airports to cope with double-digit increases in parcel volume.

By Morgan Forde • June 15, 2020

UPS expands healthcare footprint, shifting focus to vaccines

The carrier is working with many of the major players developing vaccines to protect against the new coronavirus and companies working toward treatments.

By Matt Leonard • June 10, 2020

Airfreight capacity falls 42%, 'damaging' global supply chains

The drop has resulted in longer shipping times and higher costs for companies moving cargo by air.

By Matt Leonard • June 5, 2020

Amazon Air's fleet expansion is a bid for logistics domination

The company announced plans to add an additional 12 aircraft to its fleet, bringing its total size to 82 planes by the end of 2021.

By Matt Leonard • June 4, 2020

Alibaba integrates freight procurement into B2B e-commerce site

Shippers using Alibaba's platform will be able to compare rates on ocean and air shipments, and track them in real time. 

By Matt Leonard • June 2, 2020

Drones and delivery trucks could work together, but regulatory hurdles remain

Using drones and trucks for a hybrid delivery system can leverage the best elements of both modes within a shipper's network, according to a recent MIT research paper. 

By Morgan Forde • May 28, 2020

FAA exemption allows cargo to travel in passenger seats

Airlines for America, a trade association, filed for the exemption April 23, arguing it would open up more capacity for airlines to transport critical medical supplies.

By Matt Leonard • May 22, 2020

Research conflicts on drone delivery costs, efficiency as parcel carriers scale operations

While Gartner estimates drone fleets could reduce operations costs by 70%, some research indicates drone operations, at scale, could be up to 10 times less energy efficient than vans.

By Morgan Forde • May 21, 2020

Coronavirus adds to complications heading into hurricane season

Analysts anticipate risk to manufacturing and expect reduced trucking hours at ports to have a knock-on effect on cargo movement. 

By Matt Leonard • Updated May 21, 2020

Freighters grapple with high demand as airfreight capacity drops 23% in March

With belly cargo disappearing, freighters are figuring out how to make up for the loss, resulting in higher prices for shippers.

By Matt Leonard • April 30, 2020