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(SOUND OF AIRPLANE) It's 2015.
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The FR8 segment is a core component of the logistics world.
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But is it going to stay that way?
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Even in 10 years time, the industry could look quite different.
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What will be carried by air
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and where will the world economy's hotspots be?
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Will the traditional operators be overrun by the competition?
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Let's take a plunge into the future. (MUSIC)
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2025 driven by the inherently low price of crude oil.
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The global economy is purring along.
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Air freight is in great demand,
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especially in the fast developing economies in the east and south.
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These countries have deliberately pushed ahead with the integration of their
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economic blocks and the expansion of their high tech sectors.
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The Indian pharmaceutical hubs are a good example, where personalized
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drugs are manufactured and sent overnight all over the world.
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In comparison, Europe is stagnating at a high level.
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The air freight sector has taken advantage of this situation
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and is able to reorganize.
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Growth
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market players have opened new routes and invested heavily in their fleets.
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Others have diversified the product range or found
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interesting takeover targets in local road transport operators.
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Even though local business is stable,
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European players have to invest heavily in order to keep up internationally. (SOUND OF KEYBOARD TATTLING)
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10 years on e-commerce is far and away air freight's biggest customer.
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Customers all over the world naturally expect their goods
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to be available everywhere and as soon as possible.
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But even though this has a positive effect for air freight
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and the crude oil price remains low,
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the sector has problems to struggle with.
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Integrators with their efficient processes and the
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widespread network have put the wind up
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the other transport companies.
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They move goods ordered online quicker than others,
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even into the developing markets now growing a pace.
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But the logistics sector's
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traditional business model is also suffering from
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the fast maturing 3D printing sector.
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Now, only none-printable are being transported over long distances.
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Only a few pure air cargo players have survived.
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In other words, those who have succeeded in increasing their efficiency.
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A major role in this is being played
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by small freight airplanes serving point to point routes
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and by increasingly large alliances of air cargo providers.
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Less successful players are facing the end.
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They will be taken over by integrators.
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Globalization of the world economy has passed its peak.
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The freight industry is characterized by a resurgence of protectionism,
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regional conflicts,
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and concerns about the safety of aviation.
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The recovery of the crude oil price is
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curbing the development of many regions of the world.
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while the OPEC countries are flourishing again,
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freight companies in the oil producing regions have cornered the global market.
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Meanwhile, established air cargo players have to cut costs
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and specialize in the needs of local customers in order to survive.
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In order to meet the further increased demands on
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just in time and the safety of the goods,
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major investment is being made in new infrastructure in
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Europe and in beach huts in key markets.
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Although the situation is anything but simple,
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the air freight sector has succeeded in renewing itself,
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introduced efficient processes,
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and even positioned itself in the high price segment.
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Less successful,
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traditional firms are being taken over as
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specialist suppliers by the larger logistics groups.
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It's 2025 and the volume of global air freight has been falling for 10 years.
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The economy is suffering under the weight of a renewed rise in the price of crude oil,
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a new cold war,
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and the return of trade barriers following the collapse of the TTIP talks.
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E-commerce has become the standard for many people.
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However,
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customers prefer to buy local products in
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some countries as a result of environmental awareness.
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In others,
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owing to a resurgence of patriotism,
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most goods are moved by road and rail.
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The remaining air cargo is carried on passenger flights.
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Several air cargo operators seized business when they were
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unable to find parties interested in a takeover.
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Other companies recognize the signs of the times at an early stage,
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developed flexible strategies, and diversified their product portfolio.
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At the end of the day, the question remains:
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"How is the air cargo sector preparing itself for an uncertain future?" (MUSIC)