Air cargo industry is a booming sector in the Middle East as it connects continents from the far east to the west, north and south across the globe. Seamless operations are an integral part of the industry and infrastructure determines the efficiency and cost effectiveness, which is vital for all operations.
-Dr. Shehara Rizly
Middle East’s growth of the air cargo industry depends on various factors, but the most important is quality infrastructure. It includes well-designed airports with advanced cargo terminals, efficient ground handling systems, state-of-the-art security systems, and runways.
Quality infrastructure plays a pivotal role as it directly impacts on efficiency, safety and reliability of the entire supply chain. Handling cargo movements from air to land and vice versa, reduction of delays and ensuring the cargo reaches its destination on time.
Apart from a variety of storage rooms to ensure the safety of different type of cargo, another aspect is safeguarding it from theft, damage or tampering. The Middle East is investing on quality infrastructure and hence has become a leader in air cargo bridging together east and west, handling high volumes of cargo and scaling up operations, as and when necessary. In the recent outage across the globe, Middle East was the least affected as they had the infrastructure and innovative technology to operate without any delays.
Quality infrastructure is essential for efficiency and reliability of air cargo operations, critical to global trade. Air cargo often involves high-value, time-sensitive goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and perishables, making it crucial that these shipments are handled with precision and care.
A robust infrastructure includes well-maintained runways, advanced cargo terminals, efficient customs facilities, and state-of-the-art technology systems for tracking and managing shipments. These elements ensure the smooth handling, storage, and movement of goods, minimising delays and reducing the risk of damage or loss.
Quality infrastructure supports the scalability and flexibility of air cargo operations, allowing airports and logistics providers to adapt to changing demand and market conditions. It also plays a key role in ensuring compliance with international regulations and standards, which is vital for maintaining the trust of global partners and customers.
In essence, quality infrastructure is the backbone of air cargo logistics, enabling the rapid and reliable delivery of goods across the world, thus driving economic growth and enhancing international trade networks.
Quality infrastructure can handle increased volumes of air cargo
Beau Paine, Global Head, Cargo & SVP Cargo, OSEA
Quality infrastructure is crucial to the efficiency and growth of the industry. It helps streamline operations by reducing delays and improving efficiency of processing, leading to faster delivery and better service quality. In addition, well-designed cargo terminals, handling facilities and transportation networks are essential for scalability, allowing the industry to meet growing demand without bottlenecks.
Airports well-integrated into a network of destinations, extend the supply chain’s reach. This linkage enables responsive supply chains, supporting a diverse range of cargo routes and logistics options. The number and length of runways at an airport determines how many flights it can handle. At Menzies Aviation, we are committed to investing in tech, such as, the delivery of our Menzies Aviation Cargo Handling management system, and other innovative solutions.”
Adequate apron space for freighters and easy access to runways must
Thomas Schürmann, Head, Cargo Operations & Delivery, Etihad Cargo
Quality infrastructure is vital for the efficiency and growth of the air cargo industry. Infrastructure must cater to the needs of various commodities, ensuring conditions such as temperature control and ventilation are maintained. A well-designed layout is a must to facilitate efficient handling processes, minimising inefficiencies and congestion.
Airport infrastructure is the cornerstone of the overall supply chain for air cargo. Etihad Cargo maximises the facilities across our network. Key elements include adequate apron space for freighters, short connections between passenger terminals and cargo warehouses, and easy access to runways.
Landside infrastructure, such as access to highways, truck docks, and organised truck slot systems, is crucial to avoid congestion. Runways and taxiways, while not directly involved in cargo handling, play a role in ensuring timely delivery.”
There is no compromise on speed and operational efficiency
Robert Fordree, Senior VP, Cargo Operations, Worldwide, Emirates SkyCargo
Operating across both Dubai International and Dubai World Central, we leverage the geographic advantages of Dubai to move goods from sea and sky. A fleet of trucks running 24x7 serve as a running conveyor, transporting 1,000 tonnes of cargo daily between the airports with a connection time as low as five hours air-to-air, between the two airports.
Cool chain capabilities with temperature ranges from -18°C, 2-8°C and 15-25°C allow us to control the environment and combat climates, so we can transport sensitive goods, such as healthcare and perishables.
We are primed to scale up our operations in line with the growth of global trade, developing our multimodal offering and integrating Dubai’s infra into our operations and starting the journey of building a new facility at DWC, to strengthen the city’s position as a leading logistics hub. Technology is integrated at every touchpoint of our operations to transport temperature-sensitive cargo, to the 24x7 Cargo Operations Control Centre.”
Automation, tracking systems lead to efficiency of air cargo operations
Mark Govender, Business Development Manager, Fujairah International Airport
At Fujairah International Airport, we believe quality infrastructure is essential as it improves overall air cargo. By investing in airport infrastructure, FIA can process high volumes quickly and at lower costs. Our infrastructure supports sustainable initiatives and ensures we are following international standards.
Due to the growing e-commerce needs, parts of airport facilities are being transformed into distribution centres thereby helping improve transportation of goods and make global supply chains efficient. Airports are incorporating blockchain technology to ensure cargo is handled efficiently. This leads to faster processing times and lower operational costs.
The automation and tracking systems contribute to efficiencies of air cargo operations in the following ways. Automated systems and streamlining various processes in cargo handling, advanced tracking systems via blockchain solutions, allow real-time monitoring of cargo throughout its journey and WMS to optimise storage and retrieve goods within the warehouses.”
Efficiency of handling, storage, logistics influence cargo movement
Samantak Dasgupta, General Manager, Cozmo Logistics
We understand quality infrastructure is a fundamental pillar of the cargo industry, impacting operational efficiency, safety, and scalability. Infrastructure is essential for ensuring smooth handling, quick TAT, and reduced operational costs. For Cozmo Logistics, well-maintained facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, and robust systems are instrumental in mitigating delays, enhancing service reliability, and managing the volumes.
These elements contribute to the growth of the sector, enabling efficient transportation of goods worldwide. The efficiency of an airport’s handling facilities, storage capacities, and logistics support systems influence the speed of cargo movement.
Well-maintained airports allow for coordination across the supply chain, including handling, customs, and transportation. Any bottlenecks can disrupt the supply chain, resulting in delays and increased costs. Robust infrastructure enhances the supply chain’s agility.”
Upward trajectory of economic development through infrastructure
Azaz Saiyed, Sales and Operation Agent, Salem Ahmad Almoosa Air Cargo Services OPC
High-quality infrastructure in air cargo industry provides direct positive impacts, including higher efficiency, increased safety, decreased environmental impact, and effective delivery of goods and services.
Efficient air transport infrastructure can boost regional economic development, enable access to the world market, facilitate labour integration and mobility, and stimulate local industries. Aviation provides connectivity, accessibility, and facilitates trade.
The runway is where aircraft take off and land, the taxiway is the pathway for aircraft to move between runways and other areas of the airport, and the apron is the area where aircraft are parked, serviced, and prepared for flights.
Each component plays a crucial role in facilitating safe and efficient aircraft operations on the airside of an airport. The role of technology in modern forwarding operations is multifaceted and transformative. Technological advancements are driving industry efficiency, security, among others.”
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