''The bottom line is we, the horticultural sectors that have a need for air freight, are all facing a significant increase in air freight costs and that's because, quite simply, there's less capacity, and what capacity is available isn't going as frequently," Ahearn said. The Mitre 10 hardware chain told its trade customers in a note last week that its supply chain was being tested across a range of categories. Supply chain manager Harriet Shelton said the group was keeping a close eye on how the market was responding. DHL Express country manager Mark Foy said a boom in e-commerce as well as the severe drop in commercial flights had sparked strong demand for air freight. In September the Government extended the International Air Freight Capacity (IAFC) Scheme, a temporary scheme introduced in March to support carriers keeping essential imports and exports moving.

Source: Stuff November 24, 2020 02:48 UTC