Category: <span>General</span>

Along with Bringer Parcel Services, cargo companies around the world are investing in booking portals. This investment allows digitalized cargo companies to develop their digital offering. 

Features of Online Platform

With this online platform, users are able to check times for flights, space availability, and freight information. They can also book their shipment in real-time.

As well, updates on their shipments is sent to them through a mobile app. Besides receiving shipment updates, users can also ask questions and be notified when the shipment is ready. As well, they can arrange charter flights and track where their shipment is. 

Saving Paper

By having these digitized processes, paper is taken out of the air cargo process. This will makes the shipment experience more convenient for users, and makes the operational process smoother. As well, less paper being utilized in the cargo industry helps make a positive impact on the environment. 

Hence, cargo companies worldwide are utilizing these digital platforms. This can lead to reached sustainability goals and users having more dependable information available surrounding their shipments. 

Ethiopian cargo continues digital drive with booking portal. Air Cargo News. (2022, January 12). Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.aircargonews.net/technology/airfreight-digitisation/ethiopian-cargo-continues-digital-drive-with-booking-portal/

As problems continue within ocean shipping, workforce shortages within ports and airports, and more, the usage of air charters is expected to grow in 2022. 

Hence, charter capacity will increase by an expected 20-30% as surging demand for this service continues. Some companies experiencing this expansion in their charter operations include Seko Logistics, Geodis, DB Schenker, and AirAsia X.

Some of these companies are scheduling these charter flights on a weekly basis for a period of 6 months. They will likely continue these flights as demand continues to grow. Most of these freighters hold extra capacity and can cover verticals such as automotive, consumer, retail, and more. 

In essence, restrictions from by Covid have led to these added air charter flights. The continued usage of these air charters will expectantly reduce the impact of challenges facing supply chains. 

2022 set to be the year of Charter operations for freight forwarders. Air Cargo News. (2022, February 2). Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.aircargonews.net/business/supply-chains/2022-set-to-be-the-year-of-charter-operations-for-freight-forwarders/

Women in Aviation and Logistics (WAL) is encouraging women to enroll in its mentorship program. This program will instigate new ideas to them, give them more self-assurance, and provide them with expertise in the aviation and logistics industry. 

Furthermore, no payment must be made to enroll, and the program only requires four hours of participation throughout four months. In order to complete the program, mentees must submit a short write-up. 

In addition, the purpose of bringing these women together is to have more female leaders in the air cargo industry. The mentors in this program include twenty-five executives from airlines, airports, forwarders, and more. 

Thus, through this program, mentees will be provided vital information surrounding all areas of aviation and logistics. 

Women in aviation and logistics issues mentorship scheme call. Air Cargo News. (2021, November 17). Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.aircargonews.net/people/women-in-aviation-and-logistics-issues-mentorship-scheme-call/

Star-Navigation Systems, a company based in Canada, is leading the way in solving pressing aerospace issues. The areas being focused on include safety, lowering costs, and addressing climate change. 

Focus on Safety

Star-Navigation systems will mandate live tracking of aircraft. As well, it will give updates of an aircraft’s location as often as every 30 seconds. Besides addressing safety, this system is also addressing cost reduction for airlines. 

Furthermore, solving these aerospace issues can also be addressed through the Global Aeronautical Distress and Safety System (GADSS). GADDS will enforce live tracking of aircraft in order to prevent tragic incidents. GADDS will also require aircraft to report every 15 minutes. Satellite communication will be of use to track the aircraft. 

Lowering Costs

Hence, by obtaining information about the aircraft’s engines and other types of operational data, airlines can get the most effective use of the aircraft and network. This monitoring allows for quick maintenance as problems within the aircraft are reported instantly. Long-term, this can reduce the amount of maintenance costs for the aircraft. 

Protecting the Environment

As well, using less fuel in the aircraft can lead to reduced costs and less carbon emissions. Besides saving money, this could lead toward advancements in net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2050. 

Therefore, analyzing the operational developments of aircraft can lead to less carbon emissions and less fuel being utilized. These operational improvements can also be done within weeks instead of years.

Overall, solving these aerospace issues will improve the safety of aircraft, reduce costs, and positively impact the environment.

Sponsored: Telemetry in a box provides benefits. Airlines. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2022, from https://airlines.iata.org/reports/sponsored-telemetry-in-a-box-provides-benefits

The International Air Cargo Association has come up with the Air Cargo Sustainability Roadmap. This roadmap has created priorities for the air cargo industry to follow. These TIACA guidelines for air cargo encourage sustainable practices in these businesses.

Hence, the roadmap consists of 8 key objectives. This includes decarbonizing air cargo, keeping waste to a minimum, helping protect biodiversity, increasing profits, maintaining a good workforce, building partnerships, supporting the economy, and improving lives and the welfare of people. 

Current Advancements

Thus, as challenges face the planet and society, industries should work on making positive impacts on the world. The air cargo industry is already making advancements to meet these initiatives.  These advancements include reducing the industry’s environmental footprint and cutting waste in the field.

However, all companies within the industry must commit to achieving this transformation. Companies are working to achieve this in the short term by having CEO’s and leaders take action. Long-term commitments are being made through timelines for when these goals should be met.

Enforcements by TIACA

As well, ways in which TIACA is accelerating this transformation include engaging industry leaders at events with the hopes of them committing to these pressing matters. Also, raising awareness about the importance of these guidelines, and creating programs for companies to benchmark themselves among these priority areas.

In essence, achieving sustainable development goals should become a priority for every business. With the  TIACA guidelines for the air cargo industry, sustainable transformations can be made. Therefore, by committing to these sustainable acts in the long-term, future generations will have a better ecological, social, and economic world.

The Air Cargo Sustainability Roadmap – tiaca.org. (n.d.). Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://tiaca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/TIACA-Air-Cargo-Sustainability-Roadmap-FINAL04November2021.pdf

The aerospace industry has been on the path to a transformation. There have been many changes to reflect upon in the industry. Some of this includes what the future of aviation consists of, the probability of flying with zero net emissions by the year 2050, and if the covid 19 pandemic has negatively impacted making the aviation industry more sustainable. Over the last century, the aerospace industry has had many advances. This includes developing a focus on weight, propulsion innovation, aerodynamics and the configuration. In addition, over the previous 40 years, we made the convenience of air travel a pressing matter, prioritizing its efficiency and accessibility.  

Focal points for making aviation industry sustainable

Over the last decade, however, the focus on achieving net zero in the aviation industry became substantial. It was mandatory for air travel to have zero-greenhouse emissions in order to operate. The focus on zero-greenhouse emissions has not been as public as the early adaptations were in the aviation industry. Other current focal points in the aviation industry include a focus on sustainable propulsion technology. This technology fuels aircrafts with solar and wind energy sources. Another focus point has been on making planes lighter in order to reduce emissions. Another center of attention is creating shape-shifting aircrafts that can adapt to flying conditions. In order for these technologies to function, advancements need to be made in the aviation industry. 

Research persists for long-term sustainability in aviation

Covid-19 created a downturn for the aviation industry. However, the research behind reaching long-term sustainability goals has persisted. For example, Airbus has recently revealed concepts for a zero emission commercial aircraft that could begin service in 2035. As well, British Airways is developing a hydrogen powered flight, all of which aid in cutting net carbon emissions. Zero-emission aircrafts or hydrogen powered aircrafts are not able to fly vast distances. Therefore, in order to achieve emission reductions, sustainable aviation fuel should be the focus. An example of a company that brings focus to this is Neste, which is the world’s leading producer of sustainable aviation fuel. It produces this fuel from waste and residue raw materials. 

Raw materials being used commercially is a method to obtain sustainable aviation.  By utilizing this source of raw materials, it could have the potential to substitute fossil jet fuel within 5-10 years. In order to grow this effort additionally, the switch to liquid technologies will lead to reaching zero-emission goals further.  By reaching zero-emission goals, the chances of the future generations achieving zero net aviation will be attainable. 

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Sustainable flying blog. IATA. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2022, from https://www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/sustainable-flying-blog

IATA has released data for global air cargo markets for June showing a 9.9% improvement on pre-COVID-19 performance (June 2019). This pushed first half-year air cargo growth to 8%, its strongest first half performance since 2017. Comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted, all comparisons to follow are to June 2019 which followed a normal demand pattern.

• Global demand for June 2021, measured in cargo tonne-kilometers (CTKs*), was up 9.9% compared to June 2019.
• Regional variations in performance are significant. North American carriers contributed 5.9 percentage points (ppts) to the 9.9% growth rate in June. Middle East carriers contributed 2.1 ppts, European airlines 1.6 ppts, African airlines 0.5 ppts and Asia-Pacific carriers 0.3 ppts. Latin American carriers did not support the growth, shaving 0.5 ppts off the total.
• Overall capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometers (ACTKs), remained constrained at 10.8% below pre-COVID-19 levels (June 2019) due to the ongoing grounding of passenger aircraft. Belly capacity was down 38.9% on June 2019 levels, partially offset by a 29.7% increase in dedicated freighter capacity.
• Underlying economic conditions and favorable supply chain dynamics remain highly supportive for air cargo:
• The US inventory to sales ratio is at a record low. This means that businesses have to quickly refill their stocks, and typically use air cargo to do so.
• The Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) – leading indicators of air cargo demand – show that business confidence, manufacturing output and new export orders are growing at a rapid pace in most economies. Concerns of a significant consumer shift from goods to services have not materialized.
• The cost-competitiveness and reliability of air cargo relative to that of container shipping has improved. The average price of air cargo relative to shipping has reduced considerably. And scheduling reliability of ocean carriers has dropped, in May it was around 40% compared to 70-80% prior to the crisis.

“Air cargo is doing brisk business as the global economy continues its recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. With first-half demand 8% above pre-crisis levels, air cargo is a revenue lifeline for many airlines as they struggle with border closures that continue to devastate the international passenger business. Importantly, the strong first-half performance looks set to continue,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

IATA Market Analysis – June 2021

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Source: (2021, June). IATA. https://www.iata.org/en/iata-repository/publications/economic-reports/air-freight-monthly-analysis—june-2021/.