In Guatemala, according to the air transport union, the project of the new cargo airport to be developed in the Port of San Jose, Escuintla, is unfeasible in operational and commercial terms.
Since American Airlines, Aeromexico, United Airlines and Spirit announced that they will delay their return to the country until April, local businessmen have given up hope that air connectivity will improve in the coming weeks.
Six international airlines operate in Nicaragua, but currently only Copa and Avianca are flying. The remaining four have postponed their return and according to their latest announcements, they would return until April.
The constant resurgence of covid-19, the closure of international markets and the loss of consumer confidence, postpone the beginning of the recovery of the air industry, a process that is predicted to be long in the context of the new business reality.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in this context of business and economic crisis in a large number of countries at the global level, there is no evidence of strong growth in global demand for cargo and its progress continues to be an extraordinary challenge for airlines.
As of June 16, El Salvador will begin the gradual opening of logistics services at the Cargo Terminal at the Oscar Romero Airport, and the re-establishment of commercial flights is scheduled to begin on August 6.
As part of the return to the new normal, after eliminating the restrictions imposed by the covid-19 outbreak, the Autonomous Port Executive Commission (CEPA) informed that the Cargo Terminal of the "San Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez" International Airport will begin with the gradual reopening of its export and import logistics services under strict biosecurity protocols.
In El Salvador, authorities decided that commercial flights at the Oscar Romero International Airport will be suspended for the next three weeks due to the health alert the country is facing.
The decision was announced by the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), and details that this is part of the compliance with the state of emergency and Executive Decree No. 12, due to the covid-19 pandemic.
The company of Chilean origin Latam Cargo began operations in the country and will offer its services on Tuesdays and Thursdays to cover the Miami-Panama-Bogotá route.
Directors of Tocumen International Airport informed that the refueling and cargo movement service offered by Latam Cargo will be operated with a Boeing 763 aircraft.
Raffoul Arab, general manager of Tocumen International Airport, explained to Prensa.com that "...
Building specialized docks for the auxiliary marine industry and increasing the capacity to deliver quickly by air are some of the challenges that Panama will face in the coming years.
The Panamanian economy depends heavily on the logistics sector, but currently faces new challenges because of the increasing competition from other regional players who offer better costs in managing cargo on a large scale.
In Nicaragua, authorities reported a decision to suspend collection of the additional fee of $0.05 for each kilogram exported or imported by air.
The extra charge came into effect last April 25, but from the beginning the private sector spoke out against it, because it was argued that the tariff that the Nicaraguan government would apply, would put some local companies on the border of closure and cause a decrease of about $50 million annually.
Because Nicaragua is charging an additional fee of $0.05 for each kilogram exported or imported by air, fresh fish exporters have increased their costs and become less competitive.
Last April 25, the International Airport Administration Companies (EAAI) of Nicaragua began to collect the new tax. See "More costs in Times of Crisis".
Since April 25, the Ortega administration in Nicaragua is charging an additional fee of $0.05 for each kilogram exported or imported by air.
For the country's business sector, the charge applied by the Nicaraguan government has some local companies on the verge of closure and will cause a drop of about $50 million annually.
In El Salvador, a union of employees at the Monseñor Romero airport opposes the project to expand the cargo terminal, which is expected to be developed through a public-private alliance.
The project to expand the cargo terminal of the air terminal, under the concept of a public-private partnership (APP), already has a draft of the tender bases, however, is rejected by the Union of Workers of the Airport Industry and Related (SITTEAIES).
The new cargo terminal at Daniel Oduber International Airport will allow businessmen from Guanacaste and its surroundings to export by air, without having to cross San Jose.
Nacion.com reviews that "... The buildings will have three loading and unloading bays, an electronic floor scale, a reception area of 538 m², space for handling special goods, sterile area, space for handling special goods and a cold storage room of 153 m²."
$19 million is needed for the expansion of the cargo terminal at the Monseñor Romero Airport in El Salvador, and companies interested in participating in the public-private partnership are being sought.
Authorities at the Ministry of Public Works and Fomilienio II, informed that one of the projects that will be developed under the PPP modality is the "...Improvement of infrastructure, processes and equipment at the current AIESMOARG Cargo Terminal, to increasethe volume of import and export cargo byapproximately40%, which will allow a greater flow of goods and services. The project contemplates the possibility of expansion and construction of a Cargo Terminal."
In 2017, air exports totaled 33 thousand tons, of which 59% corresponded to perishable cargo and the remaining 41% to non-perishable cargo.
The Guatemalan Association of Exporters reported that "...The United States continues to be the main destination for air exports, however markets have gradually diversified."
Between January and September of this year a total of 45.2 million kilos have been transported, almost 6% more than in the first nine months of 2016.
From Agexport's "Logistic Monitor" newsletter:
Air cargo movement - September 2017
Based on data compiled by the COMBEXIM, an analysis of air cargo movement in Guatemala was made in September 2017.It points out that the country has transported a total of 45 million 296 thousand 579 kilos, that is to say 5.6% more than the amount of kilos transported up to September 2016 (42,855,724 kilos).In the first section of this edition will be an analysis of the movement of general air cargo, highlighting the main destinations, products and airlines. Subsequently, an analysis will be carried out of the main airports to which cargo is sent and the behavior of air exports in recent years.
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