Russian air cargo immune to trade difficulties afflicting land and sea
Source:transportweekly 2014-6-5 9:39:00
Russian air cargo appears immune from the international trade problems afflicting land and sea freight movement as a result of the Ukrainian crisis and Crimean takeover.
Moscow-based carrier AirBridgeCargo (ABC) said demand for air freight capacity to and from Russia remains unaffected by the crises or by the threat of further G7 sanctions against Russia.
"Trade is increasing and customers have not decreased their requests for us. We have not seen any impact, either in Europe or the US," said ABC president Denis Ilin, reported Lloyd's Loading List.
First quarter tonnage was up nine per cent year on year to 86,500 tonnes, although this partly reflected an increase in capacity and routes offered following the arrival of its fifth B747-8 freighter.
Mr Ilin attributed much of the growth to increased consumer spending in Russia with domestic traffic contributing 25-30 per cent to revenues.
The cargo carrier, which claims to have a 50-60 per cent share of Russia's air freight market, said there was no sign of reduced trade or of any backlash against Russian companies.