In 2024, the air cargo industry has shown resilience, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Major trade lanes, such as Asia-Africa and Asia-Europe, have seen significant increases in demand, contributing to the growth momentum in the region.
A significant factor driving air cargo demand is the flourishing e-commerce sector, with global online sales expected to reach US$6.3 trillion by 2024. With many of the world’s biggest e commerce import and export markets located in Asia-Pacific, the region is at the heart of this rapid expansion. Asia-Pacific holds a one-third share of the global air cargo market, the highest of any region worldwide.
To cope with this projected growth, as well as the increasing complexity of managing international logistics, businesses today are demanding efficiency, transparency and reliability in their supply chain operations.
This requires solutions that offer companies hyper-personalized delivery experiences, predictive analytics for proactive issue resolution, and seamless integration with their existing digital ecosystems. This shift pushes logistics providers to not just meet basic service expectations but leverage advanced technologies to offer more nuanced and sophisticated solutions.
“Conventional supply chains have been turned on their heads in recent years multiple times over. The pandemic, economic slowdowns, geopolitics, demands for sustainability and gigantic leaps in technology and AI are all now integrated into our customers’ planning, modeling, and response times. Being agile and responsive, to enhance competitive advantages and capture new opportunities wherever they emerge is critical in meeting our customers’ needs,” says Kawal Preet, President, Asia Pacific at FedEx.
FedEx is utilizing leading-edge technology to deliver value-added solutions that not only help businesses overcome supply chain challenges but enable them to capitalize on emerging opportunities by enhancing their overall logistics capabilities.
The company’s approach to digital innovation is underpinned by an understanding of its customers’ needs, which guides its investments and development of technological solutions to support them.
Blending Digital With Physical
By integrating digital solutions with its physical network, FedEx is delivering a customer experience that meets the dynamic needs of businesses and consumers alike.
“FedEx has always innovated to solve customer problems. Today, technology is absolutely critical to making supply chains work smarter and more efficiently for everyone,” says Preet.
Central to FedEx’s strategy is the use of advanced data analytics to improve logistics experience. For instance, the FedEx Dataworks team employs machine learning, artificial intelligence and other sophisticated analytical methods to streamline processes, predict potential issues and provide real-time decision-making support.
This data-driven approach enables FedEx to offer seamless and efficient services, significantly reducing delays and improving reliability.
FedEx is also enhancing the ability of its customers to have control and visibility over their shipments with FedEx Surround®, an intelligent solution for monitoring and intervention designed to elevate logistics and supply chain management. It uses SenseAware ID, an advanced sensor-based technology designed to provide near real-time visibility into package location and condition. This innovative solution uses Bluetooth technology to transmit precise location data, enabling customers to track their shipments with unprecedented accuracy.
“With data-backed intelligent solutions like FedEx Surround®, we are building smart logistics for our customers. The tools are not just about tracking; it’s about smartly intervening in real-time to ensure that shipments are not only monitored but also actively managed to mitigate risks. This is a game-changer for businesses relying on just-in-time delivery and high-stakes shipments,” adds Preet.
Furthermore, FedEx has introduced industry-leading last mile solutions such as “picture proof of delivery” that offers customers peace of mind, confirming that their packages have been delivered securely. Customers can also communicate directly with FedEx through WhatsApp, making the delivery process more interactive and customer-friendly.
Innovating to Meet Evolving Needs
With a deep understanding of the changing needs of businesses, FedEx continues to innovate to provide access to digital solutions that drive operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Another example of this commitment is the launch of the fdx platform, an end-to-end e-commerce solution designed to help SMEs grow demand, optimize order fulfillment and streamline returns.
The fdx platform integrates the company’s extensive physical transportation network with advanced digital capabilities to offer real-time visibility and connected capabilities, allowing merchants to make strategic logistics decisions.
“Ultimately, by using technology and ever greater amounts of connected, continuous and contextual data, we are transforming the way we operate. The pace at which we are developing digital solutions is only going to accelerate,” says Preet.