The unstoppable rise of e-commerce is transforming air cargo logistics and demanding investment.

 

The round table on "Air cargo and the rise of e-commerce", held within the framework of the fair Logistics & Automation of Madrid, brought together leading professionals to discuss the impact of online sales on air freight transport.

 

Jaume Adrover, CEO of GPA and head of the Air Cargo and Logistics Security Commission of Barcelona-Catalunya Center Logístic (BCL), participated in the session together with Jesus Cuellar, president of FORO MADCargo, and Thomas Vazquez, head of the AENA Cargo Division. Miguel Jimenez, from Diario del Puerto, moderated the meeting.

 

The speakers agreed that the The increase in air cargo from e-commerce is here to stay, ceasing to be a temporary phenomenon. Jesus Cuellar, from FORO MADCargo, highlighted that only at Madrid airport has there been a growth greater than 30% in 2024, already representing the 20% of the global volume of merchandiseThis boom is transforming the sector's operations and influencing all air cargo agents.

 

Thomas Vazquez, from AENA, highlighted that this growth is a key element which translates into a major interest by major international operators in tenders for airport land and plots. He also stressed that the capacity of the loading centers in Madrid has grown by 80% in the last five years, with plans to expand this capacity to a 120 % with the planned expansions.

 

To Jaume Adrover (BCL), the increase in air cargo, especially since the time of Covid, is an issue "structural"He indicated that network airlines, such as Delta or Lufthansa, are modifying their business models to incorporate services that respond specifically to e-commerceThe BCL official also emphasized the “Accelerated need to streamline everything related to the clearance of goods and documentation”. He also mentioned the pressure that infrastructure is under due to the need for better access for the growing number of small parcel vans and the adaptation of second-line warehouses for package handling.

 

Impact of E-commerce on Prices and Competitiveness

 

Regarding the possible increase in prices for other air freight due to increased demand for space from e-commerce, Jesús Cuéllar confirmed that, for certain routes and destinations, the price of transport is increasing. This is due to the lower available capacity, since a large part is destined for electronic commerce, especially in the import traffic from ChinaThe increase in the price of transport for general merchandise is estimated between 20% and an 30%.

 

In search of a Spain's greater competitiveness Compared to other international airports in e-commerce operations, Jaume Adrover insisted on the need to “establish a public-private collaboration” or with a general interest in air cargo, since its impact goes beyond mere merchandise management.

 

Adrover appealed to “delve deeper into how we manage logistics platforms” and in the connection of the chains with all the actors. He argued that this complex mechanism must be encouraged by institutions and administrations, “but with the collaboration of private initiative”.

 

Finally, the BCL representative stressed that, although e-commerce operations require specific infrastructures and processes, Other key goods should not be forgotten such as perishables, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and those requiring controlled temperatures. Therefore, it was concluded that, to maintain the competitiveness of air cargo, it is crucial “Specialize in one of these goods; we can't be good at everything.”. Proposed provide support, especially from the public sector, to those traffics that are considered strategic, for “draw a long-term air cargo strategy or vision”.

 

He also stressed that cargo is vital for mixed airlines, whose cargo revenues represent a 15% on average worldwideHe cited Lufthansa as an example, which has opted to turn Frankfurt Airport into a great hub for e-commerce, investing in a specialized cargo terminal and in digitization processes to speed up customs procedures.