Shipments ranging from fresh produce to airplane parts are in limbo as Middle East conflict squeezes cargo capacity and pushes up freight rates.
The US and Israeli air war against Iran has grounded passenger and freighter flights across the region, including in Doha and Dubai, two of the world’s largest cargo hubs.
That has led to a 22 per cent reduction in global air cargo capacity, according to data from aviation and logistics consulting firm Aevean.
“It is an absolute halt of the supply chain to the Middle East,” said Abdol Moaberry, CEO of Florida-based GA Telesis, which provides aircraft parts and repairs.
Air cargo accounts for about one-third of global trade by value, according to the International Air Transport Association.
Goods range from Apple products to temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals, fresh fruit and auto parts carried in the bellies of passenger planes and on dedicated freighters.
According to an index by Spanish booking platform Freightos, rates from Southeast Asia to Europe have climbed more than 6pc, and South Asia rates to the United States are 5pc higher.
“Shippers may begin to see higher spot rates on the Asia–Europe corridor, particularly if the disruption persists and capacity constraints continue,” said Joshua Ng, director at Alton Aviation Consultancy.
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