Trans-Tasman bubble to drop airfreight rates

Air freight costs rose by around 50% post-covid.

Mon, 29 Mar 2021

Air New Zealand expects an increase in air freight capacity of about 30% when the trans-Tasman travel bubble opens, with downward pressure on freight rates likely to be immediate.Air freight costs rose by around 50% post-covid, notwithstanding $372 million of government assistance to the airfreight industry to keep vital exports and imports flowing.“We expect there will be downward pressure on pricing,” Anna Palairet, the airline’s general manager, cargo, told BusinessDesk.“I think we will see a bit of contestability as...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

On the Money

On the Money: Piyush Goyal, Nikhil Ravishankar and more

A free trade festival and legacy office moves.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:00am

Politics

The billionaire network shaping MAGA’s post-Trump future

NZ citizen Peter Thiel among magnates backing advanced planning.

The Washington Post 5:00am

Work

How did we end up with performance reviews, anyway?

Many staff revile them. Now companies are rethinking their approach.

The Wall Street Journal 5:00am

How did we end up with performance reviews, anyway?

Sponsored

Health insurance proving a valuable negotiating tool for Kiwi businesses

More employers see health insurance as key to staff wellbeing.

Moneyfit

Sponsored

Move-in ready offices: How business are rethinking workspace

Businesses want agility – and office space is evolving fast

Sponsored by Precinct Properties

More Transport

Infrastructure

Marsden Maritime Holdings CEO Rosie Mercer standing down

Marsden Maritime Holdings' chief executive, Rosie Mercer, is stepping down at the end of the year.After three years in the job, she said the decision was a natural transition point for her and the company, as Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) was in a strong position and well-p...

Ian Llewellyn 23 Oct 2025