French Parcel Tax Cripples Air Cargo Volumes at Vatry Airport
A new French tax on e-commerce parcels has decimated air cargo volumes at Vatry Airport, a key hub for online retail giants. The tax, which took effect on January 1st, imposes a €1.45 per kilogram levy on non-EU parcels, prompting a massive shift in logistics operations. Major players like Alibaba's Cainiao and Shein's partners have reportedly diverted their cargo flights to other European airports, such as Liège in Belgium. Consequently, Vatry's cargo traffic plummeted from 15,000 tonnes in the final quarter of 2023 to just 1,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024. The policy was intended to create a level playing field for local retailers but has instead caused a significant disruption to regional air freight.
Official Source: https://theloadstar.com/early-parcel-tax-debut-ravages-air-cargo-volumes-at-vatry/