Air cargo shifts from Plan B to core contingency strategy for shippers

Airfreight has evolved from a rarely-used backup option to a strategic contingency tool embedded in mainstream supply chain planning, according to Global Shippers Forum director James Hookham speaking at Aviation Connect in Athens. This structural shift reflects lessons learned during Covid-related disruptions when traditional ocean and land routes faced severe constraints. However, the emergence of new direct air waybill regulations threatens to introduce administrative complexity that could undermine shippers' ability to execute these contingency plans efficiently.

The timing is particularly relevant as shippers prepare for post-peak season holidays, a period when demand typically normalizes and capacity-constrained carriers may offer more flexible pricing and availability. The tension between increased air cargo adoption and regulatory changes creates a critical planning challenge for supply chain professionals: they must now account for both operational flexibility gains and potential compliance burdens when evaluating air freight viability. This development signals that the post-pandemic supply chain is fundamentally different from the pre-2020 model.

Shippers can no longer rely solely on ocean freight as their primary mode and air as a true emergency option. Instead, air must be incorporated into baseline planning scenarios, inventory positioning, and contingency protocols.