Air transport is one of the fastest and most efficient methods of moving goods globally, playing a key role in international trade, securing supply chains, and transporting urgent or valuable cargo. Despite being more expensive than methods such as sea or rail, its speed and reliability have led to it accounting for about 35% of the value of global trade. The following are some of the key aspects of air transport in the world:
1. Key features of air transport
High speed: Transport goods between continents in less than 24 to 72 hours.
Security: Low risk of theft or physical damage compared to other methods.
Global coverage: Access to remote areas or areas without land infrastructure.
Traceability: Use of advanced monitoring systems (such as RFID and GPS).
2. Common cargo types
Urgent goods:
Medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment (especially in crises like the COVID-19 pandemic).
Industrial parts for production lines (Just-in-Time Manufacturing).
Valuable goods:
Jewelry, precious metals, artwork, and advanced electronic equipment.
Perishables:
Flowers and plants (e.g. Dutch flowers to Asia), fresh food (e.g. tuna from Japan).
Mail and small packages:
E-commerce shipments (Amazon, AliExpress).
3. Major players in the air freight industry
Cargo airlines:
FedEx (USA): The world’s largest cargo fleet with over 600 aircraft.
DHL (Germany): A leader in international shipping with an extensive network in Asia and Europe.
Emirates SkyCargo (UAE): The main hub in the Middle East with a focus on Asia-Africa routes.
Passenger-to-Freighter:
Using passenger cabins to carry cargo during periods of passenger flight disruption (such as the COVID-19 pandemic).
4. Major global airports in air transport
Hong Kong (HKG):
The world’s busiest cargo airport with a volume of over 5 million tons per year.
Memphis (MEM) – USA:
Home base for FedEx with over 3.5 million tons of cargo annually.
Shanghai (PVG) – China:
A major export hub for electronics and industrial goods.
Dubai (DXB) – UAE:
A transit hub between Europe, Africa, and Asia with a cargo volume of over 2 million tons.
5. Challenges of air transport
High cost: Air transport costs about 4 to 5 times that of sea transport.
Weight and volume restrictions: Cargo planes like the Boeing 747-8F can carry up to 135 tons.
Environmental impacts: 2.5% of the world’s total CO₂ emissions are generated by the airline industry.
Dependence on political conditions: sanctions, wars (such as the Ukraine war), or airport closures.
6. International laws and regulations
Chicago Convention (ICAO): Sets safety and legal standards for international flights.
IATA regulations: Sets rules for transporting dangerous goods (such as chemicals or lithium batteries).
Customs and security:
Thorough inspections of cargo under TSA (US) or ECAS (EU) regulations.
7. New technologies in air transport
Drone Delivery:
Using drones to deliver small packages in rural areas (such as the Wing project by Alphabet).
Electric aircraft:
Reducing emissions with examples such as Alice from Eviation.
Blockchain:
Transparency in tracking shipments and reducing paper documents.
8. Iran’s role in air transport
Imam Khomeini Airport (Tehran):
Main base for companies such as Iran Air and Mahan Air for transporting cargo to Europe and Asia.
Export products:
Saffron, dried fruits, and medical products to neighboring countries and Europe.
Challenges:
Sanctions and limited access to modern aircraft.
Need to modernize the fleet and develop regional airports (such as Chabahar).
9. The Future of Air Transport
Growth of e-commerce: Increasing demand for fast delivery of goods (5% annual growth forecast through 2030).
Hybrid aircraft: Combining fossil fuels and clean energy to reduce emissions.
Regional hubs: Strengthening airports like Singapore and Doha as global transit hubs.
Summary
Despite its high cost, air transport is recognized as a strategic tool in modern business due to its speed and reliability. Challenges such as pollution and technical limitations require investment in green technologies and fleet modernization. For countries like Iran, developing cooperation with international companies and improving infrastructure can create new opportunities in the global market.
