News / Air cargo market more volatile as hopes fade for return of bellyholds

© Janece Flippo

Hopes for a recovery in bellyhold airfreight capacity to relieve the tight lift situation are fading as passenger traffic suffers setbacks from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Faced with high prices and a shortage of services, forwarders are reinforcing their dedicated lift arrangements.

According to OAG Aviation, global passenger capacity dropped to 48.1m scheduled seats in the first week of February, with the tally for the full month heading for half the numbers recorded a year earlier.

Instead of a steady build-up of capacity since ...