I need a 200 word response to “Servicing both markets requires a great deal of preparation and coordination. The logistics of running such an operation would, for me, be overwhelming and I would have to crunch the numbers to see if it would be worth the extra effort. Our coursebook states three different kinds of cargo operators– integrators, passenger airlines, and cargo airlines (Bruce, 2017). Integrators have their own fleet of airplanes, trucks, and facilities. This ensures they have complete control over all their operations, and streamlines door-to-door deliveries. While this is ideal, creating such a company is extremely difficult as it requires significant capital investment and a complex network of logistics and infrastructure.
Passenger airlines will sometimes offer to sell extra cargo space below deck to companies for them to transport goods alongside passenger baggage. This is perhaps one of the most difficult operations to manage out of the three as it requires careful planning to balance cargo and passenger needs. For instance, cargo space is limited on passenger flights, and priority is usually given to passengers, which can result in less flexibility for cargo operations. Clear communication and cooperation between the airline, the company whose goods are being shipped, and the airport are essential for this system to work.
The final operation is cargo airlines. This type of operation involves dedicated cargo planes that are specifically designed and used for transporting goods. They could be part of a passenger airline or on their own, and similar to integrators, they offer scheduled services, charter services, or contract services for customers. Another similarity you may find between cargo airlines and integrators is the aircraft they use. Often, older passenger airplanes will be purchased and converted to freighters. The reasoning behind this is these planes are rarely flown more than a few hours a day, and this step-down in usage prolongs their lifespan.
Both commercial airline passenger travel and cargo operations are intense operations that require coordination between the supplier and consumer. If I were to assume the responsibility of both, I would lean heavily toward using the final option, cargo airline. This alleviates a lot of the pressure of trying to coordinate space underneath the plane, and the possibility of being denied that space for weight and balance reasons. The first option is ideal if dealing solely with cargo, but it requires a great deal of your attention due to the high management demand so one would essentially be trying to run two separate businesses simultaneously. This would inevitably cause burnout quickly. I believe a cargo operation is a sweet spot where a few cargo planes are part of your larger passenger airline operation.”
