Air Freight Shippers Hit as Volcanic Ash Plume Hits Transpacific Capacity

Asia-U.S. capacity is currently tight following the cancellation of a number of flights due to volcanic ash in the air.

A series of volcanic eruptions on Alaska’s Bogoslof Island triggered an ash cloud, which caused several airlines to adjust their transpacific operations, creating “very tight” space, according to one forwarder.

The Alaskan volcano is under the flight path of many aircraft between Asia and North America. It erupted in May, and again yesterday, sending an ash and steam plume up to about 36,000 ft, before moving eastwards. The volcano remains at a heightened state of unrest and in an unpredictable condition.

Space to Europe has also slimmed down after bad weather in Shanghai and Hong Kong impacted flights.