Ireland's air freight deals up in the air over Brexit worries

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Irish exporters have expressed concern that Brexit will lead to a lack of air freight capacity in the country. Of the $39bn in air exports from Ireland, 26% were actually moved by truck to Heathrow, Schiphol or Charles de Gaulle. But after the UK leaves the EU, using the UK as a landbridge to Europe could bring Ireland significant problems, as the current system “is facilitated by the EU free trade agreement”, notes the Irish Examiner. Ireland’s biggest export is pharmaceuticals, and it also exports perishables and live horses. But there is little direct air freight capacity out of the country, with carriers such as Ryanair not carrying freight, and the integrators busy with e-commerce volumes. Time for Aer Lingus to step up?