Home News Features Compliance

🕒 Article read time: 2 minutes

Cruising altitude: the rise of air cargo in UK trade


Transporting goods internationally in fast and efficient operations is paramount for logistics businesses to remain competitive in the 21st century.

Moving freight by air enables businesses to move perishable goods and high value assets quickly and securely while keeping costs low. However, air freight has not always been so easily accessible, especially during the 1800-1900s where maritime trade helped globalise the UK. 

The invention of the steamboat in the early 1800s revolutionised shipping, especially useful for the transportation of crops, and paved the way for transportation via water. Merchant sailing ships were vital for Britian’s trade as they allowed for goods to be imported from the Americas, Africa and Asia. Towards the late 19th century steamer ships were used to transport luxuries such as coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, spices and tobacco from all over the world to Britain’s ports.

However, operations were not as streamlined as they are today, and shipping goods was a time-consuming and labour-intensive process.

Ships would spend more time in ports, loading and unloading shipments, then they would spend time at sea, with theft being a significant issue due to the long periods of time goods were left unattended.

Innovations in methods of transport and intermodal shipping revolutionised the shipping industry by using cargo containers that could readily fit on to trucks, trains and ships.  

CONSTANT TRANSFORMATION

“As the logistics industry has adapted and become more competitive, the use of other modes of transportation has grown as a result of operators vying to meet higher customer demands for faster delivery times,” says Ellis Shelton, Policy Advisor at Logistics UK.

“Compared to shipping, air freight’s flexibility allows for more frequent departures. For example, if a cargo shipment is to miss its allotted flight, the recovery time is much less.

“This versatility ensures that air freight is a reliable option for businesses where delivery time is a necessity,” Shelton continues.

“With the rise in online commerce and ‘just in time’ deliveries, air freight has become increasingly popular and is now a significant facilitator in global trade.” 

A MATTER OF TIME

For time sensitive goods, air cargo is often favoured over sea freight as shipping can be a longer process due to disruptions in shipment schedules and port congestion, which limits the transportation of fresh goods.

Additionally, air cargo often requires less packaging than other shipping methods, thus saving on transportation costs and reducing wastage. However, capacity is limited, with restrictions already being imposed on night flights and passenger flights taking priority over strictly cargo flights. 

Now contributing £300 million and 70,000 jobs to the UK economy every year, as reported by the Office for National Statistics in 2023, the air freight sector is fundamental to the logistics industry.

However, maritime trade is also essential in safeguarding the UK’s economy, as approximately 95 per cent of all UK imports and exports by volume are moved by sea. In March 2022, GOV.UK recorded that the maritime sector supports £17 billion in Gross Value Added and 220,100 jobs across the UK.   

“The supply chain is a complex system,” concludes Shelton. “There is no ‘one-size-fits-all' solution and it is positive to have varying transport modes which each present advantages depending on business needs.

“The progress made across both maritime and air over the years to ensure they are viable shipping solutions is encouraging, and as the only business group to represent all modes of logistics – road, rail, air and shipping – in the UK, Logistics UK will continue to work with members to ensure this progress can continue.”  

*www.logistics.org.uk/campaigns 

Published On: 23/11/2023 16:00:00

 

Comments Section

If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.

There are no comments yet.



UK’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry to receive £53 million boost

Nine pioneering projects aimed at helping to create a brighter, cleaner future have been awarded a share of £53 million in the latest round of the Department for Transport (DfT) Advanced Fuels Fund (AFF).

The full £135 million AFF pot is designed to help companies convert waste materials and by-products – such as household waste like cooking oil and industrial gases – into fuels. It can also help achieve greenhouse gas emissions savings of more than 70% compared to conventional fossil jet fuel. 

To be directed to GOV.UK for further details, please click here.

Latest articles

More recognition for Generation Logistics with two key awards

Generation Logistics, the awareness campaign co-ordinated by CILT (UK) and Logistics UK, has achieved more national recognition this week by scooping two prestigious accolades at the Memcom Excellence awards. 

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

UK pot hole crisis: Transport Minister Louise Haigh vows one million fixes per year after seeing cutting edge new technology

The decline of British roads has been a staple of conversation and frustration among drivers for far too long. With a new government in charge when will the situation improve?

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

UK Civil Aviation Authority reveals roadmap for major increase in drone deliveries

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published a plan that will see drones fly regularly and routinely beyond line of sight, unlocking benefits across society.

Read time: 2 minutes

View article

Next page

Building a resilient FORS Community for the road ahead

E-news archive

You can also view our e-news archive here.

E-news archive

Interested in Membership?

Get in contact using the Membership Enquiry Form.

Membership Enquiry Form

Logistics Magazine Portal

The hub for finding relevant and informative features, news & compliance guides from Logistics Magazine

Logistics Magazine Portal Home

Sponsorship Opportunities

Learn more about advertising on the new digital Logistics Magazine, with a variety of advert options to reach 30,000 relevant readers.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Magazine Contents

News

Logistics Magazine will cover all the latest news on stories breaking in the industry, including developments on COVID-19,  Brexit, Clean Air Zones, transport law and decarbonisation.

News

Features

Our frequent features will tackle the broader issues affecting logistics such as the COVID-19 vaccination programme, technology and innovation, the political and economic landscape, global trade and the drive to reduce emissions across all transport modes.

Features

Compliance

Each month we explore a different topic in depth in our popular Compliance section, while each week we will publish answers put to our Member Advice Centre team.

Compliance

View Supplements and Previous Printed Editions

View Supplements and previous printed editions of Logistics Magazine here.

Previous