The movement of air cargo is stable and the figures available show that this has been the best year for this sector, since 175 million pounds of Dominican products have been exported from the International Airport of the Americas (AILA) to different destinations, mainly to the northwest coast of the United States, which is where the most Dominicans reside.
However, the Aerodom cargo development manager, Gregorio MinayaHe told Listin Diario that although they do not handle the rates, the information he knows is that from June 2020 to date there has been no price increase in ratesbut what is an issue to be discussed is that Jet Blue needs to operate cargo flights again and that the Government can assume some type of incentive on flights to the Eastern Caribbean, because cargoes are only being registered from the Republic Dominican over there.
Minaya explained that there is no bilateral trade that mobilizes air products in significant quantities with the Eastern Caribbean and that is why only sales are registered from the DR.
The Aerodom executive said there are no significant price increases in air freight. 70% of air cargo goes to the United States and the rates are linked to the type of product, ranging from US$1 per kilo to less than US$2 in the case of perishable items.
Regarding alleged air cargo price increases, he said that a survey was carried out and that detail was not found. He gave an example that Jet Blue has not carried charges for two months due to restrictions at the destination of the John F. Kennedy airport. Currently only Delta airline is carrying loads through New York.
More Freighters Needed
We need Jet Blue in cargo transportation, he said, because its departure impacts Dominican exports. The airline has focused on passenger trafficIt is also in the process of remodeling its terminal, he explained.
Products that are exported the most
Short-cycle perishable goods such as molondrones, bell peppers, oriental vegetables, tomatoes, pineapples, tobacco, and medical equipment are the most exported by air from the DR through the JFPG international airport (AILA).