ABSTRACT

A quick glance at the worldwide air freight tonnages over the last few years shows the dominance of the express operators over conventional air cargo operations. The mega companies now leading this business – generically known as the integrators because of their fully integrated systems – are able not only to collect and deliver shipments and control them within their own systems but also to offer an accurate tracking service to their customers. With giant fl eets of large cargo aircraft, the integrators are removed from the restrictions of using scheduled passenger fl ights and are able to prioritize these shipments, an ability that is vital to their customers. Conventional airlines, which have in many ways caught up with the integrators, do offer excellent services but must look after their passengers above all else. Many of the technical systems now in use by freight-carrying airlines owe their existence to the innovation of the integrated express operators.