Geodis has become the latest forwarder to launch charter services as it looks to secure air cargo capacity for its customers.
The SNCF-owned company said that ocean freight continues to be disrupted and air cargo options severely restricted by established passenger carriers cancelling scheduled flights i light of the corona outbreak.
It has therefore launched a series of air charter flights. The first flight departed from Frankfurt on a one-way operation to Shanghai on February 12.
In order to facilitate the resurgence in westbound freight out of China, the forwarder followed up on February 21 with the first round-trip service departing from Liege, again with the destination Shanghai Pudong International.
As of February 28 weekly round-trip flights were established from Frankfurt, with Shanghai departures each Tuesday.
This schedule will remain in place throughout the month of March, when consideration of a further extension will be made, and is being complemented by flights from Hong Kong to Europe. It will also offer flights from Hong Kong to Guadalajara in March.
Dachser the latest forwarder to add freighter flights
Cargolux, Lufthansa and DSV Panalpina increase China freighter services
CEVA Logistics operates charters to maintain Asia-US supply chain
Bolloré Logistics launches China freighter flights
Also, immediately following the decision by US authorities to close its borders to visitors from Europe and to prepare for the consequent sharp decrease in commercial cargo capacity, the company has established a return air charter programme linking Amsterdam and Chicago on a four flights a week schedule. The first flight from Amsterdam will be on March 21.
Geodis also continues to offer its rail solutions from major cities in China. Two options are scheduled from Xi’an and Chongqing to the German destinations of Hamburg and Duisburg. The standard services have an 18 day transit time and from Xi’an to Hamburg an express, 12-day solution is provided. Return routings are also available.
Geodis is not the only forwarder to have launched airfreight charter operations in recent weeks, with Dachser, Bollore, DSV Panalpina and Ceva all launching services (see links above).
