Mechanisms for Effective and Efficient Airport Cargo Export and Import Operations A Logistics Perspective Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Road- air services involve (road freight services/ RFS) connections where international air transport is connected with domestic road transport linking the hub and feeder airport. In this case, therefore, the road transport section is likened to a programmed air shipment. The consignment is transported using an airway invoice while customs clearance is carried out at the warehouse of the feeder airports’. Through this arrangement, an airfreight carrier can sell its services to airports without landing on those hubs. In the past few years, more airports that focus on cargo as their main business have developed (Johnson, and Bade, 2010). However, most of them are based in Europe especially in the United States. They include FedEx regional hubs, Ohio (Rickenbacker), and UK hub at East Midlands. Designation of an airport as a â€Å"tech stop† Originally, during an aircraft landing there were several activities such as re-fuelling, changing the crews together with receiving catering services without transferring the cargo. The airlines now select tech stops depending on their location along the vital air routes. Airports may contend for this business opportunity by charging attractively for fuels and other provisions, and ensuring their crew accommodations are in order (Croucher, 2007). We will write a custom essay sample on Mechanisms for Effective and Efficient Airport Cargo Export and Import Operations: A Logistics Perspective or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The airports in the United Arab Emirates were formally tech-stops for the Europe and Asia flights. It later developed to a transshipment point for flights between Asia and North America. Dakar in Senegal is currently a tech stop serving flights between North America and Southern Africa. Storage and scanning facilities The storage of the cargo is a major determinant of the efficiency and effectiveness of import and export operations. Even though air cargo do not remain in the landing field for a long, it is essential to offer storage equipments. Imports and international transshipment cargo need bonded facilities. It is also imperative to provide refrigerators for the perishable cargoes. Outbound cargo is supposed to be inspected and thus it is crucial that the airport make X-ray scanners available. As most of the air cargo is usually of low density, the largest amount of the cargo is placed on racks, if possible in large and well-aerated warehouses. The storage space must be fitted with loading docks on the landside to help in moving the goods from the trucks quickly. Offices close to the warehouses enable the airlines and consignees receive or deliver cargo and prepare necessary shipping papers, and for the clearance of the import and export cargo (Department of the Army, 1992).