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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Air Transport

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Using the right type of transport is very important in the supply chain. As we have learnt earlier the use of the transport mode is of strategic importance to stock holding decisions. Air transport is much quicker but the costs are high as opposed to shipping by boat or rail. Sea or rail transport requires having higher levels of inventory in-house to meet quick customer demands. Most importantly, customer service levels must be met, and this often determines the mode of transport used.
The options for consideration include: rail, road, water (sea and river) or air transport.
• Rail
Railway offers the logistics manager cost-effective, energy-efficient mode of transport for large quantities of goods over long distances. Though often associated with the movement of low-value/ high-volume cargo like …show more content…

Figure: The route of the CMA CGM Liner service and one the vessels one the route

• Air
Air transport is often viewed as a premium, emergency-type service that is used when all else fails. The most expensive of all the modes of transport, airfreight offers the logistics manager fast, on-time service, but at a relatively high price. However, for firms supporting global markets, air may in fact be the most cost-effective mode of transport when inventory and customer service issues are considered.
Air transportation is best suited to moving relatively small high-value / low-volume items long distances, although things as diverse as livestock and automobiles routinely move by air as well. The best example of air transport is jewellery, watches, diamonds, gold and gemstones. Like trucking, air transport industry is made up of many small companies dominated by a few large airlines. Transportation of goods by air is regulated by appropriate rules. Commodities are shipped in appropriate air containers. There is also a set of special equipment

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