A Frame-Work to Applying Lean Principles to Air Cargo Logistics

While Air transport is the fastest mode of transport, it is equally the most expensive, yet the quest to even improve the already dynamic lead times that it offers is increasing despite the intricacies that are involved in this unique business process of moving goods. Very little in white papers is made mention off to harness and improve the operations that take place within this function.
This paper seeks to adopt and identify those lean Concepts that have proved successful in other settings in order to improve the operations undertaken in this part of the Supply Chain. The aim of the research is to draw up a universal framework incorporating the lean philosophy in order to gain competitive advantage and cut costs.
Qualitative information was key, while observation of employees of such organization were employed, while adopting the lean Concepts during this process, essential and viewed as a key tool in understanding the processes taking place was the use of ARENA Simulation which offered a Visual of the processes. In Depth Interviews with all levels of the organization was pertinent in order to get unbiased view.
Numerous sectors have adopted the Lean ideology in their settings such as passenger checking- in, No mention of Air cargo is raised despite the huge burden thrown on this modem while inconsistencies are imminent as far as regulations relating to air /road/ sea transportation. Participation of all members of an organization is critical if success of this philosophy is to succeed. Change issues should be accepted and made clear across the board of its benefits less its implementation remains a challenge both internally and externally with suppliers and key players. Effective communication stands unchallenged as a key ingredient to realize and see the benefits of incorporating a lean approach to this sector.