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Berlin's BER airport is experiencing a significant shift in its operations, with the arrival of Chinese budget retailers Temu and Shein contributing to improved efficiency and a surge in cargo volume. Contrary to speculation, the passenger numbers at BER do not suggest a decrease due to the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump, indicating that tourist visits to the airport remain stable.
The airport director has welcomed this development, viewing it as good news for the airport's operations. The growth in cargo volume, primarily attributed to the influx of goods from Temu and Shein, could potentially stimulate the local economy by increasing the demand for logistics and delivery services.
The influx of goods from these retailers may indicate a growing trend in e-commerce and online shopping at BER airport. Chinese budget retailers are shipping vast quantities of small, low-value parcels directly from Asia, arriving largely by air cargo. This affects airport logistics differently than traditional passenger luggage, leading to reduced luggage wait times for passengers.
The increased cargo has streamlined baggage handling at airports like BER. Because these shipments come as numerous small parcels rather than large consolidated cargo or passenger baggage, their processing is streamlined and often handled through specialized logistics and customs channels. This efficiency helps reduce overall congestion in baggage handling systems at airports, contributing to reduced luggage wait times.
Additionally, the direct-to-consumer nature of platforms like Temu and Shein enables quicker customs clearance of e-commerce parcels, reducing the burden on passenger luggage systems. This further contributes to shorter wait times for passengers retrieving their bags.
The growth in cargo volume does not seem to have negatively impacted the airport's overall efficiency or operations. On the contrary, the increased cargo volume could potentially lead to further investments in airport infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand.
Despite the changes at BER airport, there's no indication that Donald Trump is deterring tourists based on passenger numbers at the airport. Neither the passenger numbers nor the trends suggest a decrease in tourist visits to BER airport due to any influence from the former U.S. President.
[1] Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union [2] Source: The Loadstar, "Temu and Shein's air cargo network powers e-commerce growth in Europe"
The airport director considers the growth of Chinese budget retailers like Temu and Shein as positive news for the airport's business operations and finance, as it could potentially stimulate the local economy by increasing demand for logistics and delivery services.
This boost in cargo volume, driven primarily by e-commerce and online shopping platforms, may also lead to technological advancements in airport operations, as the handling of smaller, numerous parcels differs from traditional passenger luggage, potentially streamlining baggage handling and improving overall airport efficiency.
