Coronavirus flight shutdowns have hit cargo capacity, says IATA

The global aviation association has warned that travel restrictions and flight cancellations imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic had "severely limited" cargo capacity needed to ship medicines.

The International Air Transport Association urged governments on Monday to keep air cargo flowing to prop up supply chains and transport medical necessities during the deadly new coronavirus outbreak.

"The dramatic travel restrictions and collapse of passenger demand have severely limited cargo capacity," said Geneva-based IATA.

It added that besides delivering medicines and medical equipment, air cargo was instrumental in transporting food and products bought online that support quarantine and social distancing policies.

"Over 185,000 passenger flights