British Airways Cargo Operations Temporarily Suspended Until July 30

If you've noticed delays in your recent cargo shipments—especially between the United States and West Africa—you’re not alone. A growing number of logistics providers are facing bottlenecks in air freight, particularly due to British Airways temporarily suspending cargo services until July 30. This suspension stems from significant cargo overflow between the U.S. and Nigeria, resulting in a backlog that’s impacting freight timelines across the board.

With British Airways often seen as a preferred carrier due to its relatively stable rates and network coverage, the suspension has created a ripple effect. Rates from alternative airlines have surged, tightening already constrained capacity and forcing logistics providers to rethink their routing strategies.

This demand pressure isn’t surprising. According to IATA, global air cargo volumes are projected to grow by 5.8% year-over-year, fueled largely by sustained e-commerce growth and shifting trade routes impacted by Red Sea instability. However, this surge in volume has not been matched with adequate lift capacity, especially out of key regions.

For example, British Airways is experiencing serious congestion out of Johannesburg, with most shipments now being trucked to Cape Town for departure. Booking must be secured at least five days in advance, adding further delays and planning complexity for shippers.

At SSAF Logistics, we’re responding by actively evaluating alternative carriers that can help us maintain service reliability without compromising on cost-efficiency or safety. While no substitute offers a perfect solution, we’re working around the clock to identify the best available options and keep our clients’ cargo moving.

Additional developments across Africa are compounding the situation:

• Air France has suspended service to key West and Central African cities, including Ouagadougou, Bamako, N’Djamena, and Niamey.
• Ethiopian Airlines cargo into Senegal now requires bookings approximately two weeks in advance, due to reduced available capacity.
• Kenya Airways is facing major delays on connections via Nairobi (NBO) for similar reasons.
• Ethiopian Airlines overall is battling an extensive backlog across several African routes.

These disruptions highlight the fragile balance between cargo demand and carrier capacity in 2025. While the industry is resilient and adaptive, such events underscore the importance of agile logistics planning and transparent communication.

At SSAF Logistics, we are committed to minimizing disruption and navigating these challenges with efficiency and foresight. We will continue to provide updates as the situation evolves and ensure our clients stay informed every step of the way.