Modes of transport: Air transport

Air transport.

Advantages

• Is fast over long distances.
• It is a relatively safe mode of transporting goods i.e.:
• There are less riks of theft of and damage of goods during transportation.
• The insurance costs are low.
• The cost of packaging is low.
• Ideal for carrying expensive and valuable goods e.g. jewellary and electronics.
• Suitable for ferrying light-weight goods e.g. flowers.
• Is suitable for carrying pershiable products to the markets e.g. meat,flowers and vegetables.
• The cargo can bear the cost of transport.
• Operates on fixed routes.
• Operates on fixed schedules.

Disadvantages

• Expensive over both short and long distances.
• Not suitable for short distances.
• Aeroplanes are expensive to purchase.
• The inital capital investiment costs are high.
• The operational costs are high.
• The maintanance and servicing costs are very high.
• Air freight charges are high.
• Not suitable for carrying goods in large quantities.
• Not a direct mode of transport.
• Not readily available and accessible to individuals.
• Personal ownership is very unlikely.
• Affected by poor weather conditions e.g. heavy snow and thunderstorms

Reasons for increase in the volume of cargo carried by air.

• Air transport is fast over long distances.
• Air transport is very safe.
• An increase in:
• the number of aeroplanes available.
• International trade.
• The development of:
• Specialised cargo aeroplanes e.g. refrigirated flower planes.
• Modern planes that have a higher carrying capacity.
• The construction of large and modern airports with advanced cargo handling facilities.
• The construction of more and more airports.
• The competition amongst air freight providers resulting in decreases in air freight charges.
• Technological advances like the computerisation and automation of loading and unload of cargo.

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