This is confirmed by Trond Davidsen, Vice President, in The Norwegian Seafood Federation.
“For our members, Avinor’ s efforts to ensure air cargo capacity from Norway in a very turbulent time for international aviation, have been crucial to reaching world markets with fresh seafood. Itis gratifying to note that Avinor has managed to maintain, and even improve, the air freight capacity for Norwegiantransport of seafood through the covid-19-crisis,”he says.
Airborne infection control equipment
Since 18 March 2020, Avinor has contributed to securing essential supplies of medical infection wear from Asia to Norway.
“In a very demanding and difficult time for the country, it is good that we can utilize our air cargo community and competence. The fact that Avinor has been able to help the Norwegian health Authorities and the Ministry of Health securing a steady supply of medical protection wear, on which the country’s hospitals and municipalities are completely dependent, shows the valuable role played by aviation in the Norwegian health preparedness,” says Langaas.
He says that with Avinor’s contribution, over 12,000 m3 of infection control equipment has been flown to Norway during 2020. This corresponds to approximately 200 semi-trailers with medical protection wear.
“Despite a very demanding situation, the aviation sector in Norway has been vital in keeping Norway supplied. This underlines the importance of air freight as a key part of the Norwegian infrastructure,” he says.
Major developments in the express market
Apart from seafood and medical protection wear, there is another industry that sees a solid increase. The second largest freight segment in volume, the express market, constitutes a significant part of overall value of air cargo flown in and out of Norway.
This is partly because of increased international trade where particularly trade via the Internet has grown substantially, a tendency that has increased with the covid-19 crisis.
“The increase varies between different industries. It is clear, however, that Norwegians in general tend to use the Internet as a marketplace to buy a broad variety of goods. DHL Express Norway has maintained deliveries during the pandemic, with an increase of volume from e-commerce, but also maintained the performance of important shipments to Norwegian industries and business, hospital and health enterprises as well as society in general”, says Managing Director of DHL Express, Terje Aarborg.
