When we think of the fastest and most reliable way of transporting goods, the first solution that comes to mind is airways. Among sea, land, and aerial modes, air transport wins hands down because of the safety measures it takes and Solutions in Air Freight Operations the speed it offers. Experts project the global airline market value to rise from USD 553.9 billion in 2022 to USD 735 billion by 2030, growing at a 3.6% CAGR during the forecast period.
Businesses prefer this mode of transport despite the challenges in air freight. But what exactly are these air cargo industry challenges, and how can we overcome them to take advantage of this phenomenal mode of transportation? This article has all the answers to these pressing questions.
Importance Of Air Freight In Global Trade
We would still be struggling with managing global trade operations and Solutions in Air Freight Operations transportation if air freight were an alien concept to date. Businesses work and earn profits by providing value to their customers. It bahrain phone numbers list would have been a daunting task to fulfill international orders or smoothly run eCommerce stores in the absence of air freight. The wait times for shipping goods by sea or land are exceptionally long, especially for international destinations.
Moreover, transporting high-value, perishable, or time-sensitive products across borders would be nearly impossible without air transport. The potential delays caused by shipping such products through other modes of transport can cause a business to experience significant losses because of the diminished product value. Any damage on the way makes the product unsaleable and jeopardises the company’s image as well in the eyes of the customers. So, companies won’t only lose money but also their reputation and customers. Air freight connects markets globally and enables faster supply chain operations, which makes it indispensable in supporting and Solutions in Air Freight Operations facilitating international trade.
Challenges Faced in Air Freight
Is air freight hassle-free? Well! It may be a convenient mode of transportation, but there are still challenges. Businesses may face the following challenges with air freight:
Security of Cargo
The very first dominant challenge in air freight is maintaining the safety of air cargo by implementing top-level security measures. The security at the airports may be applaudable, but it comes at a cost. Incorporating high-end technology and stringent security protocols at every step of air transport takes a hefty investment. The cargo undergoes screenings, tests, and much more before onboarding the aircraft, during the transit, and after landing. Air freight services are also supposed to use tamper-evident seals, conduct thorough background checks on employees, and employ secure facilities and equipment to facilitate the air transfer with utmost caution and save the products from potential tampering or theft. All this requires the extremely important two ‘Ms’: Manpower and Money.
Customs Clearance Procedures
Another stifling air cargo industry challenge begins with handling the extensive paperwork at the customs and following the import/export regulations and policies in different countries. Importers and exporters find themselves buried under heaps of customs clearance forms and other paperwork while attempting to ship goods cross-borders. The pain doesn’t end here; they also need to be well-informed about the EXIM rules, regulations, and policies to avoid any problems or delays in the process. Any kind of delay in shipment can easily put businesses in a difficult situation, causing shipment hold-ups, increasing costs, and leaving their customers disappointed.
Capacity Limitations of Aircraft
There’s a limited capacity and Solutions in Air Freight Operations potential weight restrictions for cargo in aircraft, which adds to the challenges in air freight. Air carriers find this cargo space either in passenger flights or use cargo planes designed to carry air cargo, to stash the goods and transport them. In both cases, the capacity may not suffice for very large or heavy shipments. The possible reasons for air freight space limitation are website visitors need real and individual support aircraft unavailability, peak/holiday seasons, and fluctuating market conditions. Consequently, the shortage of air cargo space can spike air freight rates. This will create a challenge for businesses and make it difficult to keep customers happy by fulfilling their demands.
Compliance to Regulations
It’s a task to match the industry standards and comply with respective regulations in air freight. Importers and exporters must keep an eye on air freight regulations regarding hazardous materials, dangerous goods handling, restricted goods, and other customs requirements that frequently change. Non-compliance would mean facing unavoidable challenges in air freight and having shipments delayed or cancelled.
Solutions: Overcoming Air Freight Hurdles
We have some creative solutions to all these challenges in air freight. To start with, a productive way to dilute the risks and Solutions in Air Freight Operations swerve the challenges in air freight is collaborating with a freight forwarder company albania business directory that has in-depth knowledge and the expertise to handle air freight.