The world’s airports are under pressure to streamline their operations with passenger numbers reaching a record high of 4.4 billion in 2006, according to new research into the impact of supply chains on airport logistics.
The report released by DHL Exel Supply Chain noted that airport logistics offers a solution to improving inbound and outbound operations and flow management in some of the world’s busiest airports.
DHL interviewed a range of Airport Authorities and Airport-based companies across Europe to understand the principle needs and market drivers affecting the industry and its supply chain today.
The number of passengers going through the world’s airports is predicted to double by 2020 and many airports are currently undergoing massive infrastructure change programmes to meet this growth.
“They have been presented with the very real challenges of having to manage costs and deliver operating efficiencies, while still providing premium service levels and a first-class customer experience,” said DHL.
The top five challenges identified in the research were: delivering growth; ensuring maximum security in a period of heightened terrorism threats; adhering to government regulations and legislation; remaining competitive; and maintaining and upgrading infrastructure to meet growing demand.
DHL’s research reveals that these issues exist in airports across Europe at a time when they are also starting to adopt a more commercial outlook for their business models. Th e importance of the supply chain and logistics structure in supporting this is increasing and becoming recognised as an area that can bring potential future benefits, particularly in terms of product availability and speed of response.
Leigh Pomlett, CEO Mainland Europe for DHL Exel Supply Chain commented: “With this pressure on airports and their desire to achieve optimum service, there is a real opportunity for companies like DHL to deliver best practice customer service, reduce operating costs and of course contribute to carbon footprint reduction.”
