Air cargo is in crisis – its business model needs radical re-think, says ESC advisor
This article discusses feedback from Joost van Doesburg, air freight policy advisor for the European Shippers’ Council, and shows the complexity of air freight, with its many players and industry verticals.
In a parting shot as he leaves the industry this month, Mr van Doesburg said the current business model was not sustainable and that the industry needed a radical re-think.
“Freight forwarders divide their service into verticals. But this is created by the marketing department, not operations. Airlines and handlers don’t have the same vertical model – everything arrives the same way into the handler’s care, with the same treatment. So organising in verticals is pointless unless the handler and airline are involved too. Verticals should be created from consignment to consignee.”
Mr van Doesburg said one possible solution would be a true cargo partnership on certain key tradelanes for particular products whereby a forwarder, airline, airport/handler and trucking service partner offer a seamless delivery for a certain product – something that is on the verge of appearing for pharmaceuticals.
Source: The Loadstar
