AEROSPACE LOGISTICS

If MRO services serves as the backbone for the aerospace industry, then a critical piece of this structure is aerospace logistics. With the world reduced to a global village, aerospace logistics needs to be a well-orchestrated effort by multi-faceted, experts and services. In a complex environment that the aerospace industry works in, the need for delivery of man and machine, reaches criticality, every now and then.

Aerospace Logistics involves high-speed global delivery of aerospace parts and systems, accelerating production processes and optimising the supply chain.

Therefore, effective aerospace logistics is a tightly knit operational extension to the businesses of their (aerospace logistics companies) clients across the globe.

It often entails moving large quantities of freight, that come in gigantic aero engines and helicopters, or small sizes like avionics and components and other materials, and must be delivered in a precise, timely, and in a cost-effective manner. This calls for a network of dependable and trusted network of agents, water-tight contracts with shipping companies that cover air, land, and sea operations, to/ from a vast number of ports, straddling the globe.

The entire range of aerospace logistics solutions is to support aircraft manufacturers, aircraft leasing businesses, commercial airlines, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul services companies.

In the demanding aviation and aerospace industry, the requirements are wide-ranging from crucial AOG (Aircraft -on – Ground) shipments, to charters and couriers, extending to routine sea and road freight. It is truly mind-boggling in the manner of job execution happening at a global level, involving tens and thousands of teams and experts – coordinating to deliver secure and timely services to their clients.

Everyone down the line must be mindful about the criticality of establishing and maintaining superior supply chain solutions, that ensure decreased customs and procedural processing time, and being 24/7 on call for the customer, anywhere across a global network. Service providers must ensure too – inventory reduction, understand what is routine, critical and AOG. Aerospace logistics firms for example can save their client’s expenditures and time, significantly, by shipping items required only for an AOG at that moment of requirement.

Airfreight

Air Freight forwarders offer carriage from palletized freight. These could be full container, where the shipment is large for it have its exclusive container, or it is of a size that can be shipped with other smaller parts as what is termed – consolidated container services. Shipments then can be customized by the forwarder that benefits the customer.

Other services that a freight forwarder manage for their clients is preparation and submission of necessary documents, like air waybills, commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin. Timely submissions are necessary to meet legal and regulatory requirements.

For urgent or time-critical shipments, there is the option of express airfreight services, where shipments are prioritized at the clients’ requests and accordingly, shipments occur with the fastest transit times.

On Board Courier Services deliver using air services with the best routing options for safe, sensitive, and secure shipments.

Charters are used when the shipment volume is huge, or a specific size requirement exists, shippers arrange for full charter of consignment – where an entire freighter may be used for mainly an oversized cargo, or some kind of special-handling is required. In such a scenario there is maximum control and security for specific consignments, ensured. Emergency situations like an AOG, critical or perishable items are best suited for such an exclusive shipment.

A part charter on the other hand involves sharing space onboard an aircraft or freighter. This kind of a service offers flexibility and customised offerings for high-volume and/or specialised cargo.

Shippers must make the right choices for their clients in terms of aircraft type, flight schedule and routing of the aircraft. This calls for a high level of expertise and practical knowledge of everything aerospace logistics.

Aerospace logistics at times entail shipment to remote areas, where access is a challenge, or cargo capacity is limited on certain aircraft types. Here charter services come to the rescue. And what is more, the consignment is delivered directly to the destination, without any transshipment!

Aerospace Supply Chain

Aerospace logistics supply chain consist of a host of services provided by which businesses are supported like manufactures, airlines and operators, leasing companies and MRO providers.

Warehousing

Safe and secure storage of expensive and critical goods require a network of strategically located warehouses throughout the world. The services should have the best-in-class unloading and offloading solutions, whereby businesses are able to upscale distribution and expand delivery capabilities.

Real-time Tracking

Leveraging technology for real time cargo tracking is essential to provide real time visibility for consignments anywhere in the supply chain. A great amount to reliability is provide in this manner.

Aerospace Logistics and Job Creation

With multiple links in aerospace logistics and throughout its supply chain, calls for thousands of workers, technicians, and specialists to deliver such services. Therefore, the types of employment opportunities for aerospace logistics specialists are a plenty, and job market is huge. Some of the industries that are potential employers include consulting, government and military, manufacturing, material handling, software and computer service, telecommunications, and transportation firms, equipment manufacturers and dealers, warehousing, as also wholesale distributors. Basically, any firm specialising in moving men and material by air and all those companies that support them for the vast ecosystem of aerospace logistics.

Here is a list, aspirants may consider to be employed as aerospace logistics managers:

Aircraft manufacturing firms/OEM

Aerospace equipment manufacturing firms
Airport authorities
Transportation firms
Material handling, equipment manufacturers and dealers
Universities and flight schools (professors/instructors)
Aviation communications/electronic equipment
Government/military
Aerospace/aviation software/computer service firms
Management/executive recruiting firms
Air freight/distributors
Telecommunications and other service firms

An Ideal Aviation Logistics Ecosystem

Aerospace Logistics is a crucial area of growth in the Dallas/ Fort Worth metroplex (Texas) in the United States. Moreover, Texas boasts the nation’s largest air and road network, and plenty (several leading) of aerospace logistics businesses in the region. It has not only the US’s largest passenger airports, it has a dedicated freight airport, several regional/reliever airports, and close to a host of additional airfields north of Texas. Two major airlines, several feeder, and charter operators, and the two largest air freight companies are headquartered or have representation in the area.

Superior highway infrastructure makes for a robust trucking ecosystem with over 500 motor carriers operating there. Seven of the nation’s top freight rail lines operate in the metroplex. In terms of aerospace, distribution, transportation, and logistics services, the Dallas Forth Worth metroplex is a leading aerospace logistics hub.

Aerospace majors located in Dallas: Boeing/Lockheed Martin/Alpine Advanced Materials/Icarus Jet/The Arnold Companies/BP Aero/C & M Aviation Services/Dallas Avionics/Triumph Aero systems /Vector Nav

Importantly, DEFENCE is one of the key industries in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

According to data provided by Verified Market Research, the Aerospace Logistics services segment is tipped for impressive growth soon. Key drivers are seen to be an increased focus on research and development, leading to product innovation and development to redefine customer -centricity. Expanding footprint in emerging markets, forging strategic partnerships and collaborations are to result in this anticipated market growth. Again, quick adoption of digitalisation and integration of advanced technology will open newer avenues for doing business, growing the market.