ANA sees global chip shortage as good cargo opportunity in 2021

ANA Holdings expects its cargo unit to receive a boost this year from the global chip shortage as planes loaded with semiconductors help speed deliveries to automakers and consumer-electronics manufacturers. “Supply chains are scrambling for automotive chips, that’s where air cargo can play a role,” Toshiaki Toyama, the chief executive officer of ANA Cargo, said Wednesday. Congestion at sea ports, along with severe winter weather, is also forcing companies to rely more on air freight, propping up carriers’ deteriorating profits, he said. “Marine transportation has been very tight since last fall due to the coronavirus, so air cargo is overflowing,” Toyama said. Cargo has emerged as one bright spot for airlines, weathering their worst-ever period as the coronavirus pandemic halts passenger travel. With many people around the world stuck at home for the best part of 2020, there was a boom in online shopping and e-commerce surged, pushing air-freight rates higher. At the start of the year, carriers were also busy flying masks and personal protective equipment to countries.z<br/>