Edmonton International Airport (EIA) reported a 7% increase in cargo volumes for the first quarter which it attributed to increased cargo charters in light of the coronavirus pandemic although regular flight schedules were reduced.

The cargo charters bring in medical cargo such as personal protective equipment (PPEs), as well as e-commerce shipments. 

Just this weekend, Edmonton International Airport received three Antonov AN-124 planes —  one of the largest planes in the world. Due to client confidentiality, the airport said it cannot disclose the exact details and volumes of each cargo plane but many of the cargo charters have been dedicated to medical personal protective equipment, although there has also been an increase in e-commerce deliveries associated with more online shopping.

These AN-124 planes will be parked at multiple aprons at EIA as they require complex logistical operations and need large maneuvering and handling areas for safety.

"Edmonton International Airport is a hub of activity this weekend with the arrival of multiple cargo-related charter flights, helping set new records for this service and providing needed revenue," the airport said in its statement.

"Cargo charter flights are unique flights that are contracted specifically for dedicated cargo, beyond what would normally be transported in the underside of regular passenger flights or scheduled freighter services. With the substantially reduced flight schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cargo charters continue enabling the movement of critical goods," it added.

Tom Ruth, president and CEO, Edmonton International Airport said the airport has "never hosted three Antonov flights in such a compressed period."

“Our cargo team has been working flat out during this time of crisis to secure flights for EIA and help put our vast cargo infrastructure to good use for our community and region to keep supply chains moving. We’re proud of how our entire cargo community has risen to this challenge," he said.

He noted that EIA offers several competitive advantages for cargo delivery including being the closest major North American airport to Asia via circumpolar routes, as well as close access to rail and trucking distribution systems.

Ekaterina Andreeva, commercial director charter cargo operations, Volga-Dnepr Airlines operator of the Antonov flights said the services have been coming from multiple parts of the world including Asia, the United States and Europe.

"In the coming weeks more cargo charter flights are currently scheduled to arrive at EIA, showing continual demand for this service. We look forward to welcoming back more passengers in the future but until that time cargo flights are bringing needed traffic and activity to EIA and the entire Edmonton region," she said.