Every freight method has its pros and cons, its arguments for and against, and its strengths and challenges – and the air freight industry knows this better than any. 2017 saw struggles and triumphs, and it’s no secret that 2018 is going to bring just as many, if not more. With technological advances and talks of capacity strain, keeping up with trends is more important than ever, and so we’re taking a deeper look into just what 2018 could bring for the air freight industry. Read on to find out more.
Capacity Could Reduce
It’s a simple fact that there is only so much space available on a plane, and only so many planes that can fly at any one time. The skies are already filled with this mode of transport, but the increased demand for this speedy method of delivery is meaning that it isn’t actually as speedy as expected. Without the right engagement between shippers and their air companies, packages can sit in airports for days before they’re even put onto a plane. Relationships are going to become more important than ever as space availability reduces.
Peak Seasons Could See Higher Strain
Continuing on from our previous point, these space restraints could see peak seasons become a real strain for companies and airlines alike. Peak seasons already see delayed freight, lost packages and many more issues, and with increased volume but reduced capacity, this could become much worse. Shipping earlier to take away the strain will not only ensure your delivery is made on time, but will also help reduce the stress on you freight forwarder. We will always do our best to ensure that your air freight is delivered on time and we have valuable relationships with air carriers across the world, but there is only so much space available, and it always better to be safe than sorry.
Blockchain
Blockchain has been a buzzword in countless industries, but none more than the air freight industry. This technology has increased the potential for automated processes, a far more secure supply chain, and increased visibility for companies and clients alike. While we may not see blockchain actually being implemented in air freight this year, the talk around it is certainly heating up. We could see discussions becoming ideas, and ideas becoming prototypes and implementation might not be quite as far away as you may think.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is another hot topic in the world of logistics as of late and rightly so. The potential behind this technology could revolutionise the industry altogether. Machine learning, crossed with the ‘Big Data’ trends that have swept the industry for the past year will mean more streamlined and intelligent services. Predictive technology could see deliveries made long before a human has noticed that they’re in need of items and we could even reach a point in which freight forwarders are anticipating issues like weather evens, traffic issues of other unforeseen circumstances before they happen.
Drones – But Bigger!
Drone technology has come on leaps and bounds as of late on both a commercial and industrial scale. From medical supplies, to simple amazon deliveries, there have been a whole host of uses for these devices but 2018 could be the year where they start to become far more common. Okay, so a small drone isn’t likely to keep the supply chain running alone, but larger UAVs (or unmanned aerial vehicles) could see the freight forwarding process become much more streamlined. With a longer available distance, and a better capacity, we could see these automated machines in our skies – at least on a testing scale – in the next year or so.
Air freight is a valuable process that we have access to as freight forwarders, and that can provide faster, more streamlined delivery for you as a customer. If you’re looking for an air freight forwarder, why not fill in our quote form today for a bespoke quote for your shipment?
