In 2023, Europe was hit by a severe snowstorm, causing significant delays in logistics and a continuous rise in air freight prices. The snowstorm, coupled with the ongoing pandemic, resulted in poor logistics conditions, suspended international express services, reduced road transport capacity, and increased freight rates.
The snowstorm affected many regions, including Belgium and France, where serious icing problems occurred on the roads. The road closures led to extended logistics transportation times and weakened end logistics transportation efficiency in multiple regions. This situation had a negative impact on sellers.
In addition, with the arrival of major promotional nodes such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, the average price of transatlantic air freight showed a continuous upward trend. According to data from the Freightos Air Index, the freight rate from China to the United States has increased by 70% since the beginning of August, reaching approximately $7.18 per kilogram.
Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning that if severe weather continues, it may suspend some flights on the east coast. The previous increase in transpacific air freight prices was due to the suspension of operations at some airports in Alaska on the west coast. If a large number of flights are canceled or suspended in December, the flight positions will become more tense, and the air freight prices will inevitably rise further.
In response to the rising air freight prices, sellers can prepare in advance. For example, during the upcoming Christmas shopping season, sellers with shipping plans can prepare in advance and choose other methods such as sea freight and land freight to avoid causing cargo losses.
Post time: Dec-12-2023