Weekly Wrap: COVID slows US ground handling and passenger freighters move PPE, vaccines

Dozens of trans-Pacific cargo flights into Los Angeles Airport (LAX) were canceled this week through at least Dec. 10. COVID-19 cases among ground handlers at LAX and other U.S. airports, including Chicago O’Hare (ORD), have slowed airfreight handling, even as longer delays in ocean freight are pushing shippers toward air. The supply chain strain comes at the height of this year’s peak season, when airfreight sees its busiest time of year, and subsequently higher airfreight rates have pushed more passenger freighters back into cargo service. 

Simultaneously, shipments of personal protective equipment are increasing again as the U.S. hits its worst point yet for new infections and European countries have reinstituted lockdowns. India-based SpiceJet, which operates converted freighters and passenger freighters, is planning to transport PPE between the U.S. and India, and has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a foreign air carrier permit. Initial shipments are likely to occur using wet leased A340 passenger freighters operated by Hi Fly. 

Vaccines also began flying recently ahead of regulatory approvals, with United Airlines using its passenger freighters to position vaccines made by Pfizer ahead of wider distribution. Forwarders this week explained why passenger freighters may have found a niche for initial distribution and point-to-point vaccine shipments in the weeks and months ahead.