The massive disruption and uncertainty triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has continued, although some parts of the world have entered a different phase since their economies have partially reopened following the first wave of the virus’ spread.

In this issue we examine this next phase, including asking whether a ‘new normal’ is emerging (pages 4-17) for the air freight sector and its constituent organisations, what that may look like, and how it may evolve – or whether we need to think in terms of several new normals.

As some commentators observe, the air freight sector is no stranger to disruptions or crises – and to some extent, thrives upon them. But the unprecedented collapse of air passenger demand does continue to present enormous – and for some, existential – challenges to airlines and their partners. Nevertheless, the extraordinary response by the air freight sector has been hugely impressive, fulfilling a social as well as commercial responsibility to continue flying goods to where they are needed.

Further developments will, presumably, depend to a large extent upon whether and when viable vaccines emerge, and the ability of global systems – including air logistics systems – to distribute those vaccines worldwide. And so, in this issue we also examine (pages 30-44) the global pharma transport network and how the air freight sector is prepared and is preparing for that vaccine distribution challenge.

This issue also examines (page 18) how global supply chains and systems are likely to evolve more broadly in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the geopolitical events that have followed and preceded it, along with the potential implications of this for air freight. While there is no consensus on the extent to which global supply and sourcing patterns will be restructured, there seems general agreement that a process of change has begun
and that the pandemic will accelerate this.

Another trend it has accelerated is the shift towards digitalisation and paperless transactions, which now also offer the benefit of virus-free contactless communications, as well as facilitating remote working. Some of the progress towards real-time air freight visibility is highlighted in the Handling and Technology Update articles on pages 52 and 56.

Air freight has faced a series of severe tests this year already and has mostly responded with determination, resilience and flexibility. It is likely to continue to be tested in many ways for some time to come. As one contributor notes in this magazine, companies can’t prepare for every possible scenario, as we have seen with Covid-19; but they can prepare to be proactive, agile, and quick in execution.