Air cargo via Dublin Airport will be key in supporting Ireland’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report published today by the Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI), the business organisation which represents the country’s logistics sector.
The report, The Economic Impact of Cargo Night Flying at Dublin Airport, commissioned by the FTAI, along with leading international logistics companies DHL, FedEx and UPS, outlines the importance of the sector in supporting Ireland’s highly sensitive and interconnected supply chains. Goods flown overnight are critical to supporting ‘just in time’ supply chains across the economy, enabling businesses to move high value and time-sensitive goods to markets the next working day.
Dublin Airport is Ireland’s busiest cargo airport, handling 90% of the country’s air freight and 35% of all Ireland’s trade by value, according to the report. Air freight flown at night accounts for 38% of this volume, equivalent to €19 billion in imports and exports. With the value of a tonne of air freight estimated at 53 times more valuable than a tonne travelling via another mode of transport, night flights are essential to ensure Ireland remains competitive and connected to global trade.
“Air cargo is one of the unsung heroes in keeping the country’s businesses and homes supplied with the goods and services they need, as has been demonstrated during the coronavirus pandemic,” said Aidan Flynn, General Manager at FTAI. “Across the country, 15,000 jobs are supported by the industry, with the potential to grow in the future. Night flying supports complex logistics and supply chain functions, allowing the Irish economy to function more efficiently, enabling trading relationships, and making Ireland a more attractive place to do business.”
Mr Flynn continues: “In order to support future growth and with Brexit on the horizon, Irish businesses will be looking for ways to deliver swiftly and efficiently to European markets and long-haul international nations. The new report identifies critical areas of development for aviation which will help to support all areas of our economy and ensure that air cargo is a viable tool for business to use to assist in the post coronavirus recovery, by creating jobs and boosting global connectivity. With the right support from government, Irish air freight can continue to be competitive around the globe, provided a balanced approach is taken on night flights. We owe it to our economy to deliver on this opportunity.”
Simon McNamara, Country Manager of United Kingdom & Ireland at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) comments: “IATA welcomes this important and timely report from FTA Ireland on the vital importance of night flights to the Irish economy. Night flights will be essential to economic recovery following the coronavirus lockdowns. Night flights are critical for cargo and should be recognised as critical for global supply chains and facilitating the delivery of high value and time-sensitive products such as pharmaceutical and perishable products.”
FTA Ireland is a not-for-profit membership trade association for the Irish freight, passenger and logistics industries. We are wholly owned and governed by our members, and act solely in advancing their best interests. FTA Ireland covers all aspects of private and public freight transport, passenger transport and logistics supply chain, including road, rail, sea and air. FTAI represents some of the largest freight and passenger operators in Ireland, with more than 25,000 employees and 10,000 vehicles operating between them.
For more information please visit: https://www.ftai.ie/
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Notes for editors:
For further press information or comment please contact Aidan Flynn on + 353 87 354 6954
Follow FTA Ireland on Twitter @newsfromftai
