New Manufacturing Technologies, Techniques, and Trends Leading to More Air Freight Traffic

Flexible manufacturing systems, involving computer-aided design and manufacturing; just-in-time inventory management; and changes in the worldwide sourcing and distribution of materials are transforming the methods and location of manufacturing in many countries. This transformation should lead to an increase in the use of air freight transportation both internationally and domestically. This paper explores these trends, and shows what their implications will be for air cargo carriers.