How Aircraft Helped Revolutionize the Courier Service
July 9, 2019
How did aircraft revolutionize the courier service?
- The birth of aircraft
- The world’s first air couriers
- Air couriers today
- The impact of aircraft on courier services
Cargo and courier services have become one of the primary means of transporting goods and supplies across the world, with millions of tons of cargo being moved day-to-day. Freight forwarders in the Philippines make use of trains, trucks, and ships. These methods of transportation are crucial in maintaining the world’s supply chain and keeping economies, businesses, and even countries running.
One cargo type that has revolutionized the world of freight services is air transport. Whether it be airplanes or helicopters, air transportation has provided a faster and more efficient way of traveling across different parts of the world in a short amount of time. This ability to travel faster and more efficiently made courier services much better. It is worth taking a look back at how their role shaped how freight services are done.
The Birth of Aircraft
Manned flight is an endeavor that has been pursued by mankind for a long time, from the development of hot air balloons to the designs that led to the first airplane manned flight. The first manned flight in 1903 was an early sign that travel and transportation will forever be changed during the 20th century.
Soon after the world’s first manned flight, the world’s first aircraft companies and designers scrambled to perfect the concept of the airplane. This led to the creation of aircraft that are able to fly higher and faster and carry heavier loads. These first cargo aircraft arose from the need to deliver goods and supplies over vast areas of land much quicker compared to ships and trains. By the time the first dedicated cargo aircraft began their operations, some of the world’s first air couriers emerged.
The World’s First Air Couriers
Before the emergence of the world’s first air couriers, one moment that signaled the beginning of air freight services was when a pilot named Philip Palmieri delivered around 200 pounds of silk ribbon with the use of aircraft. The first successful air freight cost 5,000 dollars, which today would be enough to have a significantly sized cargo delivered. After the successful milestone, the first air courier services were established by post offices across the world. Back then, post offices were in charge of delivering varying kinds of goods and supplies across countries, making them somewhat similar to today’s freight forwarders in the Philippines and in other countries.
The first air cargo companies established were tasked with delivering loads across countries and oceans, but eventually, the cargo became heavier and bigger. The development of aircraft technology helped aircraft travel faster and lift heavier loads farther. By the time that air courier services became a profitable industry, the delivery of goods and supplies have not become much easier and more convenient than ever before.
Air Couriers Today
Today, air couriers claim a significant amount of the total number of goods delivered every year, with millions of tons of cargo constantly being moved from place to place. These air couriers are also some of the most profitable companies in the world as well. Many of the world’s premier businesses and brands rely on these services to be able to provide their products to their proper customers and retailers.
Freight forwarding services have also become more reliable. Getting an aircraft to deliver your cargo is a much more efficient option which guarantees that you will be able to receive a product on time. While air courier services have already been established, the development towards creating better air freight services along with new aircraft that perform better continues. Over the next few decades, we might even see a future where the vast majority of the world’s cargo is all delivered in the air.
The Impact of Aircraft on Courier Services
Before the development of aircraft, railways and ships were the predominant modes of moving cargo from point A to point B. While they are effective in their own right, the need to deliver faster persisted. The impact of aircraft on revolutionizing freight services is significant as it has the option to fly over oceans and vast expanses of land in order to reach its destination much faster. Imagining a world without aircraft carrying loads of cargo is quite difficult. The role that they have played has been so crucial in the economic progression of countries across the world.
Key Takeaway
The development of aircraft has been one of the most impactful innovations of the 20th century. It has led to the development of the world’s first air courier services. Air courier services are some of the most important freight services today. Having a reliable freight forwarder that is able to utilize aircraft to their advantage is crucial in today’s fast-paced world.