The ongoing Middle East conflict is creating significant disruption to global air freight operations, with potentially severe consequences for Asian logistics hubs, according to Kuehne+Nagel’s chief executive.
Stefan Paul, CEO of the logistics giant, has revealed that approximately 20% of worldwide air freight capacity has been removed from the market. This substantial reduction stems from the closure of Middle East airports and widespread flight cancellations affecting the region.
The capacity shortage affects both passenger aircraft belly cargo space and dedicated freighter operations, creating a perfect storm for supply chain bottlenecks. Industry experts warn this could lead to significant congestion at major Asian airports as cargo volumes are redirected through alternative routes.
For businesses relying on air freight services, this development signals potential delays and increased costs as the industry grapples with reduced capacity during an already challenging period.