Cargo-partner expands air cargo charter ops as demand surges

Freight forwarder cargo-partner is expanding its air charter network in response to rising demand and congestion in ocean and rail freight.

The company said that advancing global vaccination efforts are boosting production capacity and come at the same time as a “sharp increase in demand for consumer goods”.

Demand from the automotive, retail and high tech sectors is particularly strong, the forwarder said.

Meanwhile, as result of a “tight market situation” in sea freight as well as on Asia-Europe rail operations, companies are looking for alternative transport solutions to maintain their supply chains.

In response, the forwarder is extending its twice-weekly air cargo charter operation from Hong Kong to Budapest until the end of the year and has also introduced a weekly round-trip service between Frankfurt and Zhengzhou.

The forwarder has also launched a weekly part-load charter programme from Vienna to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, as customers have “increasingly been requesting air cargo solutions on this route”.

“Vienna Airport serves as an ideal hub for Central and Eastern Europe, while Chicago is a strategic starting point for distribution in the US Midwest,” cargo-partner said.

Since the spring, cargo-partner has also been offering a new groupage service with weekly departures from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna.

“Cargo-partner has recognised the customer need for highly time-critical transports and can ensure immediate availability and the fastest response times for these requests,” said cargo-partner cheif executive Stefan Krauter about the the decision to expand the company’s charter offering.

The company also offers an ad hoc charter service.