Newsletter – September 27, 2023

AIR FREIGHT UPDATES

WestJet Cargo continues expansion with new cargo route

aircargonews.net
Canadian airline WestJet Cargo has launched a new cargo route to Havana, Cuba, the carrier’s first venture into the Cuban capital.
Calgary-headquartered WestJet Cargo is operating one weekly Boeing 737-800 freighter flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport to José Martí International Airport in Havana, Cuba. Read more here 

Business as usual? The shape of the aviation industry

aircargoweek.com
After the dramatic downturn in air travel during the pandemic, what shape is the aviation industry in today? Artemis Aerospace looks at whether business is flying high again.
As COVID-19 spread worldwide in 2020, international air travel came to an almost complete standstill, and the aviation industry described it as ‘the worst year in history for air travel demand’. Read more here 

CANADA BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UDPATES

Transport committee calls for through review of Canadian ports

nationanewswatch.com
Ottawa-The government needs to conduct a thorough review of the capacity of Canadian ports and their long-term infrastructure requirements, says the Commons transport committee. Read more here 

As Canadian shoppers tighten their belts, Vancouver port shipments plummet

cbc.ca
The number of shipping containers passing through Canada’s largest port fell sharply in the first half of the year, driven down by weaker consumer demand and a sputtering economy.
Container volumes at the Port of Vancouver fell 14 per cent in the first six months of 2023 compared with the same period a year earlier, the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority said Monday. Read more here 

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS – GOVERNMENT UPDATES

Don’t write off the just-in-time model just yet, says logistics specialist

theloadstar.com
Shippers are “feeling the pinch” as they look for cost-savings, but one forwarder has stressed the need to retain the just-in-time model.
MD of 500 Logistics Steve Dinsey told The Loadstar that, in much the same way there had been an increase in cost-consciousness among consumers, shippers were assessing ways to cut spending, some considering no reversion to just-in-time. Read more here (login required).

Auto strike goes up a notch but supply chains yet to feel major impact

theloadstar.com
The strike called by the United Auto Workers (UAW) against the Big Three US car-makers went up a notch last Friday, as the union targeted spare parts centres serving General Motors and Stellantis. So far there have been some hiccups in supply chains, but logistics providers are still waiting to see a major impact. Read more here (login required).