Impact of Modern Day Terminals in the Success of an Air-Cargo Operation - Assignment Example

Impact of Modern Day Terminals in the Success of an Air-Cargo OperationAbstractIncrease in movement of passengers and goods across the world have resulted into great demand for travel services. The most favored and efficient mode is air due to speed and security. This has resulted to increased congestion at the port terminals, compelling airport mangers to implementing new strategies for increasing efficiency. However, their effort is being undermined by decreasing capacity for expansion leaving the issue of congestion still a thorn in their flesh.

Increase is global interaction has resulted to increase in movement of people and commodities across the globe (Edwards, 2005). This has resulted into increased preference for air travel due to urgency of travelers and nature of goods which favors faster and efficient means of transport (Hanley, 2003). The modern airport terminals are therefore designed to handle increasing demand for passenger and cargo travels efficiently.Modern air cargo terminals are equipped with current facilities to handle different types of commodities.

For example, there are cold rooms for storing fresh commodities such as agricultural produce which requires proper handling (Edwards, 2005). They are also equipped with compartments for handling live animals. Other equipments fitted to improve delivery of services includes, well secured rooms for valuable commodities to ensure their safety, and separate stores for items which release emissions, and others for storage of chemicals (Cambridge Systematic, Inc. Landrum & Brown, 2011).The modern terminals have well trained staff which ensures smooth operations at the terminals.

Their activities include handling of commodities, documentation and verification of procedures. Since most of the terminals are automated, these processes are easier to implement online, therefore doing away with undue delays at the terminals (Edwards, 2005). Different airports have improved communication services both internal and externally to improve control of aircrafts and ensure there are no interruptions due to two or more planes arriving at the same time (Hanley, 2003). This has also helped in reducing cases of accidents from plane crashes.

Terminals capacities have been expanded to handle increasing demand for storage of goods and reception of passengers. They are fitted with different sections for handling imports and other for exports (Edwards, 2005). This separation of activities has eased unnecessary delays which otherwise occurs due to poor coordination of processes. The runways have also been expanded to accommodate larger airplanes and reduce congestions (Hanley, 2003). In addition, air traffic is being controlled using modern surveillance equipment to ensure safe landing and takeoff.

Many travel processes are currently carried out online. These include clearance of cargos and booking of travel tickets (Edwards, 2005). This has helped in saving time for both travelers and airline companies’ staff since these activities can be carried during convenient time for passengers and airport staff. In addition, this has helped in easing the congestion at port terminals. In the modern world, most of the operations involving cargo and express travels are carried out at night to ease congestion (Cambridge Systematic, Inc.

Landrum & Brown. 2011). This has offered flexibility at the port hence saving time and reducing congestion.Despites these improvement at the airport terminals, companies are still facing many challenges which hinders their operations (Edwards, 2005). For example, many airports lack enough capacity to expand the size of their buildings and runways. This hinders future potential for improving their operations through reduction of congestion. Another challenge is inability to fully separate cargo and passenger airlines (Edwards, 2005).

This results to conflict of operations due to inflexibility in coordinating the operations at different locations. As the demand for travel increases, there will be increase in demand for improved facilities at the air port terminals. The limited capacity for expansion will continue to intensify these challenges and consequently limit their capacity (Edwards, 2005). However, opportunity lies in extension of their activities to new locations where the airline companies can start separate branches to handle both travelers and cargo (Hanley, 2003).

The efficiency may be affected by their location but they will offer a better alternative to the problem of increasing congestion at the main terminals.ReferencesEdwards, B., (2005). The Modern Airport Terminal New Approaches to Airport Architecture, 2nd Edition Taylor & Francis Cambridge Systematic, Inc. Landrum & Brown. (2011).Georgia Statewide Freight and Logistics Plan. Georgia Department of Transportation, USAHanley, R, E., (2003). Moving People, Goods, and Information: The Cutting-Edge Infrastructures of Networked Cities.

Routledge, London.