Air cargo systems could be summarized as the elements that enhance air transport. Apparently, air cargo systems could be divided into two main classes: passenger and cargo systems. The two systems are further subdivided into other subsystems with the aim of ensuring that specific air cargo is effectively and conveniently moved from one location to the other (Totamane, Dasgupta, & Rao, 2014). In fact, air transport is a complex and safety-sensitive niche thus every system for the transportation of air cargo ought to be understood and utilized correctly to ensure that the expected standards are met. The current paper defines the various air cargo systems, detailing their merits and demerits.
Passenger Cargo Systems
The passenger cargo systems refer to air cargo systems that are dedicated to the transportation of people from one point to the other. Passenger air cargo systems are also developed to carry specified weights of cargo, which are held in the belly of an airplane. Passenger cargo systems can also be subdivided into military, civil and combined cargo systems (Totamane, Dasgupta, & Rao, 2014). Military cargo systems mainly serve in the transportation of military personnel and cargo. Civil air cargo systems are dedicated to the transportation of civilians while combined air cargo systems refer to those systems that mix both military and civilian cargo (Suryani, Chou, & Chen, 2010). Presumably, passenger air cargo systems are dedicated to the movement of people in the available air transport services. Specific weights of goods could be carried in passenger cargo systems but the main aim of these type of systems are to enhance the movement of people from one point to the next.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Passenger Air Systems
The advantage of passenger cargo systems is that they can handle both human and goods. Effectively, these systems save time and other valuable resources that could be invested in other income generating ventures. The disadvantage of passenger cargo systems is that they limit the quantity of goods and the number of passengers that could be loaded onto a specific airplane thus causing various inconveniences.
Cargo Systems
Cargo systems are fully dedicated to the movement of goods from one point to the next. Apparently, no human passengers are allowed to travel in these kind of systems as the involved airplanes are developed in a way that could not support air passenger comfort. Cargo systems could be subdivided into other subsystems depending on the nature of goods that the involved airplanes could be handling.
For instance, special cargo systems entail those that require specialized care and attention during their movement aboard airplanes. Special cargo systems are specifically developed to handle hazardous goods that have to be moved aboard airplanes. Apparently, dangerous chemicals, bombs and other goods that could pose significant harm and constrain human safety are required to be handled in this type of systems (Chao & Li, 2015). Live cargo systems are developed to handle animals that have to be moved from one location to the other aboard airplanes. Clearly, specific conditions have to be met so that the dignity and safety of the involved animals is guaranteed. Additionally, the conditions of transporting live cargo should be able to meet the safety expectations at their destination.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Cargo Systems
The cargo systems are advantageous because they provide a fast and convenient avenue for the movement of goods from one point to the next. Cargo systems enhance the safety of handling goods that could otherwise pose danger if they are transported through other systems. The disadvantage of cargo systems is that they consume vast amounts of resources and derail the movement of people as such systems cannot be used to transport people within them as is the case with passenger systems.
Conclusion
Apparently, air cargo systems have significantly enhanced the movement of people and goods from one location to the other. However, it is important to consider that each of the identified systems has its unique requirements and demands. Therefore, it is important to ensure that each of those demands is understood extensively. It is then that their roles, merits and demerits can be harnessed and utilized to the advantage of people.
References
Chao, C. & Li, R. (2015). Effects of cargo types and load efficiency on airline cargo revenues. Journal Of Air Transport Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2015.11.006
Suryani, E., Chou, S., & Chen, C. (2010). Air passenger demand forecasting and passenger terminal capacity expansion: A system dynamics framework. Expert Systems with Applications, 37(3), 2324-2339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eswa.2009.07.041
Totamane, R., Dasgupta, A., & Rao, S. (2014). Air Cargo Demand Modeling and Prediction. IEEE Systems Journal, 8(1), 52-62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/jsyst.2012.2218511
