The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the aviation industry, as many airlines suspended their operations due to the decrease in passenger demand. However, once vaccines were distributed and travel restrictions began to lift, airlines reactivated their operations. Thus, some effects were evidenced, demonstrating how international trade remains a fundamental pillar of aviation.

It is generally known that airlines not only transport passengers, but also transport cargo on their planes. Air cargo includes a wide range of products, from pharmaceuticals and electronics to food and consumer goods. Before the pandemic, air cargo was an important source of revenue for airlines, and it is estimated to have represented around 12% of the aviation industry’s total revenue.

However, the pandemic had a significant effect on air cargo transportation. With the suspension of operations by many airlines, the available cargo capacity was significantly reduced. In addition, border closures and travel restrictions made it more difficult for companies to transport their products internationally.

Today, as airlines begin to reactivate their operations, air cargo transportation is also recovering. Because of this, many airlines have adapted their operations to transport more air cargo and thus compensate for the decrease in passenger demand. In this sense, as airlines increase their cargo capacity, there will be more space available for companies looking to transport their products. Additionally, with the reactivation of international air routes, companies will be able to transport their products internationally more efficiently.

Thus, in Colombia, currently the products that are most transported by this means are: flowers, such as roses and carnations, precious stones, such as gold and emeralds, gasoline-type jet engines, medicines for human use, clothing, jewelry items, and more.

But there is a challenge that companies seeking to transport their products through air cargo transportation face. With the decrease in passenger demand, many airlines have retired some of their older planes, which were also used for cargo transportation. This means that the available cargo capacity may be limited and air cargo transportation prices may increase.

On the other hand, the reactivation of airlines can also have an impact on the quality of air cargo transportation. With the increase in demand for cargo transportation, some airlines may choose to transport cargo on planes that are normally used to transport passengers. This can mean that air cargo transportation may be slower and less efficient than before the pandemic.

In summary, the activation of airlines after the pandemic has had a positive effect on air cargo transportation. As airlines increase their cargo capacity, there will be more space available for companies looking to transport their products. However, it is important to keep in mind that the available cargo capacity may be limited and air cargo transportation prices may vary.