Air, Freight News

Shippers call for freighters to replace banned US passenger flights

[ March 13, 2020   //   Chris ]

The European Shippers Council has called for airport slots released by president Trump’s ban on passenger flights between Europe and the US to be partly used for additional freighter flights to ensure that urgent and medical goods remain available. It says that there is sufficient capacity at European airports to handle additional cargo flights.

President Trump an entry ban applies to European Union residents (but not the UK). United Kingdom (UK) residents are exempted. While freight is not included in the ban, cargo will be badly affected as about 50% of it is passenger bellyhold traffic.

It remains unclear whether European-crewed cargo flights will be banned from entry, adds ESC.

The European Commission recently moved totempoarily axe rules forcing airlines to operate flights in order retain airport slots.

Tags: European Shippers Council; ESC