Israel cargo capacity down despite recent freighter additions
20 / 11 / 2023
Source: Silk Way West Airlines
Cargo carriers have been quick to add freighter operations to Israel since the outbreak of war but these flights have not been enough to offset the withdrawal of belly capacity.
Rotate’s Live Capacity data shows that overall cargo space – both freighter and bellyhold – is down 29% in the three weeks running to November 19 compared with the three weeks running to October 1.
The drop off comes as widebody belly capacity, which pre-conflict made up the majority of capacity, has fallen 67%.
Meanwhile, freighter capacity during the two three week periods has increased by 17%.
Rotate’s figures show that Silk Way has led the way in terms of freighter capacity additions, increasing its cargo capacity by 256% to 1,879 tonnes in the three weeks to November 19 compared with the three weeks running until October 1.
Source: Rotate Live Capacity
In terms of frequencies, Silk Way operated seven flights between September 11 and October 1 and 17 between October 30 and November 19.
Challenge Group has also been quick to respond, increasing its capacity by 49.2% between to the two periods to 3,837 tonnes. Frequencies were up from 29 to 47.
National Airline’s cargo space is up 780% to 959 tonnes over the two three week periods, with frequencies increasing from one to nine.
Other freighter operators to add capacity between the two periods include MNG, SkyTaxi, Easy Charter, El Al, ASL Airlines Ireland, Global X, Fly Pro, Maximus Airlines, Western Global, Air Atlanta Icelandic and DHL.
Meanwhile, there have also been a host of freighter airlines to reduce capacity into the market including UPS, FedEx, Astral, Atlas, Ethiopian, Lufthansa, Turkish, SF Airlines and Ethiopian.
On the passenger side of the industry, Rotate data shows the number of airlines stopping all flights to Israel in the three weeks to November 19 is extensive, but the top five are United, Emirates, Turkish, Delta and British Airways.
In total, 24 passenger airlines have stopped flying to Israel since the outbreak of the war.
