The United States strong initiative to onshore and increase domestic manufacturing of Semicon products and capital equipment needs to be backed by robust and efficient infrastructure investments. From warehouses and trucking capabilities all the way to airport equipment and airlift options.
However, the global connectivity for air transportation may be impacted as we see a decline in the global freighter fleet. Some industry experts anticipate a significant and prolonged shortage in widebody freighter capacity, potentially lasting into the 2040s. Currently there are less than 650 widebody freighters worldwide and this fleet is aging rapidly, with over 100 units already more than 30 years old. This aging trend, compounded by limited new aircraft deliveries and delayed certifications for freighter conversions, is expected to outpace replacement rates. Production constraints—such as the end of Boeing 777 freighter output in 2027 and postponed launches of Boeing 777-8F and Airbus A350F models—further exacerbate the situation, creating a gap in fleet replenishment.
If manufacturers really want to build a resilient supply chain and make sure their raw material and final products can be shipped smoothly, a proper assessment of the capacity needed must happen early on. It is key to an approach towards long term agreements instead of short term and ad hoc deals.
