What is an “intelligent cargo airline?”

“An intelligent cargo airline is one that operates independently from the passenger business; develops its dedicated book of rules and procedures, and its own domain of knowledge, catering to its special set of needs and to its unique customer base.”

With the air cargo business now touching US$80 billion globally, and more freight moving on to “main deck” freighter aircraft, the “intelligent cargo airline” is here to provide a bespoke offering to serve this trade.

The value proposition of an “intelligent” cargo airline.

AIRLINE CUSTOMERS:
To steadfastly promote the business case for all airlines, integrators, freight forwarders, shippers and government agencies to “outsource” the operation of all cargo aircraft to specialized “main deck” freighter aircraft operators.

LONG TERM CONTRACTS:
To encourage stability, innovation and eventually cost savings, promote the move towards very long term contracts of 10-12 years or more among shippers and forwarders.

DE-RISKING:
To de-risk “long term” contracts, encourage the introduction of “micro/Nano contracts” of as little as “one kilo segments” which allow for risk diversification and mitigation. Leverage the use of information technology to aggregate and consolidate these contracts and trade them on exchange.

SPECIAL CARGO AIRCRAFT RELATED FINANCING STRUCTURES (S.C.A.R.F.S.):
Encourage the movement of cargo aircraft financing away from traditional passenger aircraft financing structures such as finance and operating leasing, towards “tradable forward micro-space contracts”. Pioneer the creation of a tradable marketplace for these bespoke financing structures.

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS:
Work with aircraft manufacturers and conversion companies towards creating more efficient and dedicated aircraft for the air cargo business, while at the same time re-designing newer passenger aircraft for passengers and their bags only, and not for freight.

DEDICATED CARGO AIRPORTS:
Promoting the use of “lower cost” dedicated cargo airports as a long term solution for all types of cargo, and for dedicated freighter aircraft only.

AIRLINE INVESTORS:
Working with Wall Street research analysts to create a separate set of metrics and a distinct investment class for the air cargo business. This transparency will eventually create a path for venture capital and institutional funding to enter the air cargo business.

AIR CARGO SHIPPERS/FREIGHT FORWARDERS:
Encourage these players to sharpen their game, by studying the dynamics of each type of air cargo product and air cargo customer, and promote specialization, branding, and product differentiation in the transportation and handling of each product category. Develop a seamless transportation chain for air cargo, including “end to end” Temperature-Controlled Global Transportation Solutions.

MRO’s & PARTS SUPPLIERS:
Work with MRO’s and parts suppliers under “long term contracts” to create bespoke parts and maintenance manuals and procedures more in tune with the unique operating cycles of dedicated cargo aircraft.

AIRCRAFT APPRAISERS:
To promote freighter aircraft as valuable long term assets among the investing community, work with aircraft appraisers and valuation agencies to develop newer standards for dedicated freighters, both new builds as well as conversions.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS:
Explore and expand partnerships with IT solutions providers to streamline and optimize all processes in airline operations as well as across the supply chain.

GROUND HANDLING:
Develop new standards for cargo ground handling, and encourage technology up gradation through the provision of “longer term” contracts.

COMPONENTS OF AN “INTELLIGENT” CARGO AIRLINE

In this website we intend to identify and study each and every aspect of the all-cargo business and the business of running a modern day cargo airline. We will identify and develop expertise in each of these areas, with “white paper” contributions from the best minds in the business, to raise the bar of intelligence and knowledge in this business.

Some of the areas that we intend to profile will include:

-Aircraft Financing
-Aircraft Insurance
-Warehousing
-Aircraft Conversions (737’s,747’s, 757’s, 767’7, 777’s, A300-600’s, A310’s, A320’)
-New build Freighter Aircraft
-Cargo Handling Systems
-Temperature Track & Trace
-Cargo Airline Investing
-Bespoke Engine Technology
-Air Charter
-Cool Chain
-Risk Management
-Asset Management
-Aircraft Appraisals
-Freight Scanning
-Hazardous Cargo
-Revenue Management
-E Freight
- Packaging
-“Cool” container technology
-Maintaining & Overhaul of Cargo Aircraft
-Dedicated Cargo Airports
-Ground Handling
-Transporting & Handling Perishables
-Transporting Pharmaceuticals
-Trucking
-Fuel/Fuel Hedging
-Pilot Training
-Feeder Aircraft
-Emissions Control
-Emissions Trading
-Wet Leasing
-Aircraft Charters
-Pallet Building Technology
-Cargo claims & Loss Prevention
-Information Technology
-Cargo Bi-lateral agreements