Export and Air Cargo Transportation in the Process of COVID 19: A Research on Antalya Airport

Abstract

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the World is experiencing an unprecedented crisis. The aviation sector, which is classified as a key sector for developed and developing economies, has been significantly affected by the current crisis. However, the air cargo sector showed a growth trend in some items compared to the aviation sector in general. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the pre- and post-COVID-19 trend of air cargo exports of Antalya airport, which is one of the largest airports in Turkey, and to examine the exit and growth of the aviation sector from the crisis with future expectations for Antalya airport. According to the study findings, current status of Antalya city with Antalya Airport air cargo exports before and after COVID-19 were determined and suggestions for the sector and related literature were discussed in the context of data. At the end of the study, in the year of 2020 overall export from Turkey decreased 6,2% compared to 2019 while export from Antalya city increased with the rate of 12,5%. The exported goods from Antalya city by the air cargo between 2018 and 2019 are mostly industrial and mine products however export of them is dramatically decreased in 2020. In the same year export of herbal food and fresh fruit and vegetables are increased with the rates of 27,1% and 70,5%, respectively. So export amounts of herbal food and fresh fruit and vegetables are found to be extremely over the export amount during the pre-pandemic period. Key Words: COVID-19, Logistic, Air Cargo, Export, Antalya Airport JEL Classification: R10, R40