Automated air cargo handling systems

This paper develops the way in which the business aspects that drive the air cargo industry lead to the development of relationships between the air cargo customer and the service provider. The benefits to both service provider and customer of introducing automation to improve the efficiency of the logistics chain is explored. The complex project and business processes necessary to successfully implement automation in the air cargo environment are discussed and the need to consider such implementation as a development of the whole business process is emphasised. Many of the issues discussed are not unique to this industry. The integration of automation and complex new operational systems involves a change in working practice throughout the organisation. Success in these projects is effectively assured through careful thought about the business requirement and management of the integration process