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Plane Freight¤

Overview¤

Plane freight, also known as air cargo, involves the transportation of goods by aircraft. This mode of transportation is essential for the rapid delivery of high-value, time-sensitive, or perishable goods across long distances. Air freight is a crucial component of the global logistics and supply chain network, connecting markets and enabling international trade.

Benefits¤

  • Speed: Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation for long-distance shipping, significantly reducing delivery times.
  • Reliability: Offers high levels of reliability and punctuality, with fixed schedules and less risk of delays compared to sea or land transport.
  • Global Reach: Connects to a vast network of international destinations, enabling global trade and market access.
  • Security: Provides enhanced security measures and reduces the risk of theft or damage.

Applications¤

  • High-Value Goods: Transportation of electronics, pharmaceuticals, and luxury items.
  • Time-Sensitive Deliveries: Delivery of perishable goods, express parcels, and critical supplies.
  • Emergency Shipments: Transportation of urgent and relief supplies during emergencies and natural disasters.

Challenges¤

  • Cost: Air freight is generally more expensive than other modes of transport due to fuel costs, handling fees, and airport charges.
  • Capacity Limits: Aircraft have limited cargo space and weight capacity compared to ships and trains.
  • Environmental Impact: Air transportation has a higher carbon footprint per ton-mile compared to sea and land transport, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Requires adherence to stringent international regulations and security protocols.

Modelization¤

The reference size of and air freighter was computed based on FedEx1 2 data, since Fedex was in 2021 the largest air transporter.

\[ ref_{size}=\dfrac{\text{billion Cargo Tonne Kilometers (CTK)}}{\text{# of aircraft} * 8760 [h]} \]

The average fleet cost is estimated to be 51 MUSD per aircraft.

The maintenance cost are set to 5% of the investment costs.

ES Model Parameters¤

All the parameters concerning the Plane Freight are listed in the table below.

entry_key value unit sets source_reference
CO2_E (layer) 0.849 kgCO2 GLO ATAG, (2021): "Tracking Aviation Efficiency, Fact Sheet #3"
JETFUEL (layer) -3.23 kWh GLO ATAG, (2021): "Tracking Aviation Efficiency, Fact Sheet #3"
MOB_FREIGHT_AIR (layer) 1 tkm GLO ATAG, (2021): "Tracking Aviation Efficiency, Fact Sheet #3"
c_inv 8845.83 USD/(tkm/h) GLO Fischer, Loïc, (2023): "Air_Transportation"
c_inv 38210.7 USD/(tkm/h) GLO Aerocorner, (2023): "Boeing 767 Freighter - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History"
c_maint 442.29 USD/(tkm/h)/yr GLO Fischer, Loïc, (2023): "Air_Transportation"
c_maint 3382.8 USD/(tkm/h)/yr GLO World Bank, (2009): "Air Freight: A Market Study with Implications for Landlocked Countries ⧉"
ref_size 3198.3 tkm/h GLO Jeffrey, Rebecca, (2023): "Top 25 Air Cargo Carriers: Cargo Airlines Tackle Tough Times ⧉"
ref_size 5765.4 tkm/h GLO Doran, Michael, (2022): "FedEx Tops IATA World Cargo Carrier Rankings In 2021 ⧉"
trl 9 - GLO ATAG, (2021): "Tracking Aviation Efficiency, Fact Sheet #3"

References¤

Data Sources
Aerocorner. (2023). "Boeing 767 Freighter - Price, Specs, Photo Gallery, History". Aero Corner
ATAG. (2021). "Tracking Aviation Efficiency, Fact Sheet #3"
Doran, Michael. (2022). "FedEx Tops IATA World Cargo Carrier Rankings In 2021 ⧉". Simple Flying
Fischer, Loïc. (2023). "Air_Transportation"
Jeffrey, Rebecca. (2023). "Top 25 Air Cargo Carriers: Cargo Airlines Tackle Tough Times ⧉". Air Cargo News
World Bank. (2009). "Air Freight: A Market Study with Implications for Landlocked Countries ⧉". World Bank

  1. Doran, Michael. 2022. « FedEx Tops IATA World Cargo Carrier Rankings In 2021 ». Simple Flying. https://simpleflying.com/fedex-tops-world-cargo-rankings-2021/ ⧉ (21 novembre 2023). ↩

  2. Jeffrey, Rebecca. 2023. « Top 25 Air Cargo Carriers: Cargo Airlines Tackle Tough Times ». Air Cargo News. https://www.aircargonews.net/data/top-25-air-cargo-carriers-cargo-airlines-tackle-tough-times/ ⧉ (21 novembre 2023). ↩