Heathrow Airport Adjusting to Increased Air Freight

UK ports are big and well equipped

Yes, it is right Christmas is around and there is a large number of inflow of gifts and shopping items in UK airports. As Heathrow airport handles much of the cargo there is an obvious increase in the air traffic as the prices rise at shipping. Since everyone wants to celebrate the occasion and exchange gifts or goods for selling demand rises at this time of the year.

The import of such articles in the UK is at its highest these days and due to this number, the airport is facing a shortage of ability. People want to reach their loved ones on time and for that, there is no way more appropriate than air cargo. Not only that the freight demand rose inside the UK, but air cargo to Pakistan has also increased.

If one cannot visit the relatives on Christmas, they do it by sending gifts. Similarly, as the demand at the shops rises the retailer has to bring in more replacements. All the above situations have caused a delay in cargo delivery and processing at the airport.

The transporters have to wait up to 6 hours to get their package and leave for delivery. Not only that the imports are facing delays same is for the exports. People have to wait for dropping their cargo at the airport to send it internationally. If not, now there will be a frustrating situation in the future, better to buckle up before it is late.

On-time delivery is what the retailer wants

On Christmas more and more people shop. The number of customers rising is a good thing but it can become a cause of the bigger problem if stocks are not enough. UK market is one of the largest markets of Europe. Many articles from around the world are imported into the country for the targeted buyers.

As many communities are residing in the UK the demand for different cultural products is there. In the present time, air freight has become cheaper than sea freight which has caused an upraise in sending goods via air freight. Many airlines are converting their passenger planes into cargo planes or adding up such air transport to reach the demand.

The retailer gets desperate when there is a delay in delivery which is very much justified. But a sudden increase in air cargo has taken the airports aback as they were not prepared for the change. Still, slowly there are efforts by the airlines to facilitate the customer in the best way.

Shortage of transport

Another issue that arises with the increase of air freight is a shortage of transport which is going to either take the cargo to the airport or from the airport to its destination. In such a case the sender has to wait for the availability so that the task is done. The increase in demand has affected the delivery time in this way likewise.

Whether a person is sending a cargo as a gift for Christmas or there is a commercial intention behind it, the situation is the same for both. As more and more people send cargo as the nearing of occasion the more bulk there is. Even the cargo gets rejected due to full capacity at the airport and people has to find alternative ways to complete the task.

With lesser passengers, the cargo flights compensated somewhat

In the start, the air freight increase was welcomed with open arms as it was a great compensation for the decreased number of passengers due to the pandemic. But as time is passing due to lack of capacity the sender, as well as the receiver, is facing many delays which do give a wrong impression at the other end.

Airfreight is used for fast delivery and if this medium shows the traits of sea cargo, then there will be decreased customers. The senders are realizing that it was the same situation at ports congested to handle the cargo and its booking at the seaports before. Still, air cargo is a faster way than sea shipping even with delays.

Outgoing items to reach the airport even 48 hours prior

With such a congested situation the handlers are asking for dropping the cargo 48 hours before the plane departure. If the chance is missed and you are late then there is nothing that can be done rather than wait for the next one. Even the companies have to book chartered planes for the activity and sometimes the route is changed or there is a personal hire to get the objects through to the destination.

So, Heathrow airport has become a nightmare for the senders and receivers at the same time. Airports have to become more efficient and there has to be an increased capacity sooner to handle such a big change in the industry. It is a positive change as more and more people get a chance to avail themselves of the faster journey of their cargo.

People can reach relatives back home on such important occasions with ease and faster. There are efforts for increasing the capacities and soon there will an improvement in the situation but for now, this has to be handled by all the parties involved.