The definition of transportation management systems (TMS) continues to evolve. In the early days of TMS solutions, the primary goal was to manage truck-based freight. Over time, point solutions were developed to support particular modes for particular industries such as ocean and airfreight.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released January performance data showing a strong rise in airfreight growth compared to a year ago. Global freight tonne kilometers (FTKs) rose 4.5 percent in January compared to January 2013. This is a significant acceleration on the 2.2 percent year-on-year growth rate recorded in December, and is well above the 1.4 percent full-year growth reported for 2013 as compared to 2012.
Champ Cargosystems, a provider of integrated air-cargo services, has launched an airfreight community platform. Dubbed CargoUpdate, the tool was designed to enhance communications between airlines and freight forwarders.
Saudi Airlines Cargo is increasing belly capacity on new international routes, with the commencement of passenger flights from Manchester, U.K. to Los Angeles by Saudia Arabian Airlines.
The airfreight market may be on the up again, but this is not a time to be operating freighters out of Europe - unless, perhaps, you are Lufthansa Cargo.
The air cargo industry must act to fulfill the educational needs of the next generation of managers for the worldwide airfreight industry, according to the results of a two-year research project.
Figures from the International Air Transport Association show a 6.1-percent growth in demand measured in freight tonne kilometers for airfreight in November 2013 over the same month in the previous year. November's performance is an improvement on the 4.4-percent year-on-year demand expansion recorded in October. This continues an improvement trend in the weak air cargo markets which has been developing over 2013.