Newsletter – May 30, 2023

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

ChatGPT Made Up Court Cases Which Were Cited In Legal Action Against Avianca

simpleflying.com
Lawyers pursuing a case against Colombian flag carrier Avianca have found themselves in hot water after citing court cases fabricated by ChatGPT. The AI chatbot made up several bogus cases which were later submitted in a court filing. Read more here.

United Airlines Slashes Canada Schedule From October To March 2024

simpleflying.com
Chicago-based United Airlines has made changes to its flight schedule involving Canadian airports, according to data from aviation analytics provider Cirium. The changes are set to occur this fall and last through next spring.
The majority of flights to and from major markets in Canada from United’s US hubs have been reduced. While not every route has been affected, some will see monthly frequencies lessen by as many as 60 flights. Read more here.

GROUND FREIGHT UPDATES

Mexican rail seizures give near-shoring interests pause for thought

theloadstar.com
Mexico has attracted lively interest in the wake of a trend to diversify supply chains away from China, but recent moves by President Lopez Obrador are likely to stir second thoughts among would-be investors.
He ordered the seizure of some 120km of a private railway and confiscation of private land to build commuter train stations for a line to Felipe Angeles International Airport, to be the prime gateway for freighters serving the Mexican capital. Read more here.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Retailers’ commentary becoming ever more downbeat as Americans run out of money

freightwaves.com
Some of the biggest retailers in the U.S. announced unusually weak first-quarter results, with signs of increasingly cash-strapped consumers abundant.
Among the themes discussed on Q1 calls were the shift from discretionary items to lower-margin essential ones (food and beverage), elevated “shrink” (theft) and a resumption of price competition following unusually substantial price increases during the pandemic. Read more here.