Airport congestion is a common global logistics issue in international air transport (especially during periods of surging cargo demand, around holidays, and at hub airports). It stems from an imbalance between airport cargo handling capacity (such as cargo terminal storage space, loading and unloading equipment, manpower, and customs inspection efficiency) and actual cargo volume, impacting the timeliness, cost, and safety of cargo transportation in multiple dimensions.
In this article, Weefreight provides a detailed analysis, which we hope will be helpful.
I. The Core Impact of Airport Congestion on Cargo Transportation
- Significant Delays in Shipping Time and Increased Uncertainty in the Transportation Chain
This is the most direct impact, manifesting as a “passive stagnation” across the entire transportation chain:
Delayed Warehousing: If the cargo terminal at the port of departure airport is congested, cargo may not be able to enter the warehouse as scheduled, and may even have to wait in line for several days to complete weighing, security checks, and palletizing (assembling bulk cargo into air pallets), resulting in missed flights.
Increased Risk of Flight Delays/Cancellations: Even if cargo is palletized, if airport parking spaces are tight and runway traffic is saturated, flights may be temporarily delayed (ranging from a few hours to several days). In extreme cases, they may even be canceled, requiring cargo to be re-assigned to subsequent flights. Overall delivery times may extend from the original “3-5 days” to “over 10 days.”
Delayed Clearance at the Destination Port: If the destination airport is congested, cargo may accumulate in the cargo hold or at the cargo terminal upon arrival, preventing timely unloading and sorting. This can delay customs inspection and delivery, especially for fresh produce and pharmaceuticals. Time-sensitive goods, such as those shipped overdue, may experience a loss of value due to delays.
- Transportation costs increase passively, and hidden fees emerge
Congestion triggers a series of “extra costs,” often borne by shippers or freight forwarders:
Warehouse rental and demurrage: If goods are held at the shipping port’s cargo terminal beyond the free storage period, or if they are stored beyond the designated period due to unloading delays at the destination port, the airport will charge a daily storage fee. If congestion causes containers/pallets to occupy airport equipment for an extended period, “demurrage fees” may also be incurred.
Flight rescheduling fees: If the original flight is canceled, the freight forwarder will need to rebook the cargo. Some airlines will charge a “rescheduling fee,” and subsequent flights may require a higher “urgent space premium” due to limited space.
Management and handling surcharges: To expedite cargo processing, shippers or freight forwarders may be required to pay additional “expedited handling fees” (such as priority palletizing or unloading). These fees can double, especially during holiday congestion.
- Increased cargo safety risks and greater difficulty in tracking information
Congestion-induced “process disruption” indirectly increases the probability of cargo damage or loss:
Increased probability of cargo damage: When cargo is piled up at cargo terminals for extended periods, packaging may be damaged due to excessive stacking and rushed loading and unloading operations (to meet deadlines). This is particularly problematic for fragile items such as electronic components and glassware. In the rainy season or during high temperatures, improper storage environment management may also cause moisture and deterioration of goods.
Risk of information gaps: Airport cargo systems may become sluggish due to the surge in data volume, making it difficult for shippers to check cargo status (e.g., whether it has been warehoused, loaded onto a plane, or arrived at the port) in real time. Cargo location may even be lost, requiring repeated verification with freight forwarders and airlines, increasing communication costs.
- Chain Reaction in the Supply Chain, Impacting Trade Compliance
For businesses reliant on air transport (such as cross-border e-commerce and high-end manufacturing), airport congestion could trigger a “butterfly effect”:
Order Default Risk: If goods miss the agreed delivery date due to congestion, the company could face liquidated damages and even lose long-term customers;
Production Supply Disruption Risk: For manufacturing industries employing a “zero inventory” model, if imported raw materials (such as chips and precision parts) cannot be picked up promptly due to congestion at the destination port, production lines could be shut down, resulting in significant economic losses.
II. Core Strategies for Addressing Airport Congestion (From the Shipper and Freight Forwarder Perspectives)
- Shipper: Plan Ahead, Reduce Dependency, and Diversify Risk
Prioritize Non-Hub Airports or Off-Peak Shipping
Avoid concentrating all shipments at hub airports with high cargo demand (such as Shanghai Pudong, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Frankfurt). Depending on the destination country, choose nearby “secondary airports” (e.g., Amsterdam instead of Frankfurt for shipments to Europe, Chicago instead of Los Angeles for shipments to the US). These airports are less likely to be congested. Also, avoid peak cargo periods (e.g., one month before Black Friday and two months before Spring Festival/Christmas) and schedule shipments one to two weeks in advance to allow for buffer time.
Clarify “congestion liability clauses” with suppliers.
Include an “airport congestion response clause” in trade contracts. For example, if congestion at the port of shipment or destination causes a delay, the freight forwarder must provide real-time congestion proof and assist in rerouting flights. If additional costs (such as storage fees or rerouting fees) are incurred, clearly specify who will bear the costs (e.g., stipulating that “congestion costs not caused by the shipper are borne by the freight forwarder”) to avoid subsequent disputes.
Choose “multimodal” or “mixed transport” modes.
For non-urgent shipments, a hybrid mode of “air + road” or “air + sea” can be adopted (e.g., “air freight from an inland airport in China to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and then by road to Bangkok, Thailand”) to reduce reliance on a single hub airport. For shipments with extremely high timeliness (such as emergency medicines), sign a “priority transportation agreement” with the airline in advance to secure space and priority handling.
Track cargo status in real time and prepare response plans in advance.
Choose a freight forwarder that provides full-chain visual tracking. Check cargo status in real time through the airline’s official website (such as Lufthansa Cargo or FedEx) or a third-party logistics platform. If you notice signs of delayed entry or flight delays, immediately communicate with the freight forwarder to discuss rescheduling options (such as changing flights or relocating the port of destination) to avoid passive waiting.
- Freight Forwarder: Strengthen resource integration to improve response efficiency.
Secure space in advance and establish long-term partnerships with airlines.
Freight forwarders should sign a “capacity agreement” or “long-term space contract” with airlines one to two months in advance, especially during peak cargo season. This ensures a stable inventory of space and avoids unavailable space due to congestion. Furthermore, partnering with multiple airlines (rather than relying on a single airline) allows for quick resource switching in the event of flight delays.
Optimize pre-palletizing and pre-customs clearance processes to shorten airport layovers.
Pre-palletizing (assembling pallets in the freight forwarder’s own warehouse) should be completed before shipment, rather than after arrival at the airport cargo terminal. This reduces airport handling time. Furthermore, shippers should be assisted in completing pre-export customs clearance to ensure that cargo can be loaded directly after arrival, avoiding flight delays due to customs clearance procedures.
Establish a congestion emergency response mechanism for timely communication and feedback.
Freight forwarders should assign dedicated personnel to liaise with airlines’ congestion emergency response departments to obtain immediate information on airport congestion (such as cargo terminal storage capacity and flight delay rates) and share this information with shippers. If cargo is already backlogged at a congested airport, forwarders should proactively offer solutions (such as applying for a ‘fast unloading lane’ at the destination airport or coordinating with local agents to prioritize cargo handling) rather than passively awaiting inquiries from shippers.
- Common Strategies: Focus on Policies and Technological Tools to Improve Response Efficiency
Leveraging Digital Tools to Predict Congestion Risks
Use third-party logistics data platforms to view global airport congestion indexes (typically calculated based on data such as cargo terminal utilization, flight punctuality, and unloading time) to identify high-risk airports and adjust shipping routes. Some platforms also provide congestion duration forecasts to help shippers plan delivery dates.
Pay attention to airport temporary relief policies and take advantage of these measures.
Some airports implement temporary policies during periods of congestion (such as extending free cargo terminal storage, streamlining inspection procedures, and opening temporary freight lanes). Shippers and freight forwarders should monitor airport websites or local customs announcements. For example, in 2023, some European airports implemented weekend unloading services due to congestion. Freight forwarders can use this policy to expedite cargo processing.
Summary
The essence of airport congestion is an imbalance between supply and demand. While it’s difficult to completely avoid in the short term, its impact on cargo transportation can be minimized through advance planning (staggered travel times, choosing the right airport), risk diversification (multimodal transport, multi-airline partnerships), clear responsibilities (contract terms), and real-time response (dynamic tracking). Our core strategy is to manage congestion risks within a manageable range through “time buffering, resource redundancy, and process optimization,” rather than relying on a single link.
If you have any international logistics service needs, please contact us by clicking the floating chat icon in the lower right corner or using other contact information in the lower right corner.
