Drones may have an outsized impact on aviation security in the future

The beginning of a new year is often a time to reflect on events from the previous year to understand what may be ahead. Following two December incidents in which more traditional aviation operations were impacted – in one case, literally – by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), how to handle the increasing ubiquity of drones […]

• Caryn Livingston
• January 4, 2019

Drone tech is ready, but are we?

SINGAPORE—Alongside announcements of new freighter conversion orders and rumors of aircraft orders, the Singapore Air Show’s approach to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in airfreight service focused on the long-term promise of technology that may take time to pay off, but has the potential to remake the industry once it does – if the industry can […]

• Caryn Livingston
• February 7, 2018

Boeing unveils its answer to last-mile deliveries with UAV prototype [VIDEO]

This week, Boeing unveiled and completed initial flight tests of its fully-functional unmanned cargo aerial vehicle (CAV) prototype; the first of its kind for the aerospace goliath. Although analysts have long predicted that drones were on course to transform the logistics sector, the larger issue has been receiving operational clearance from regulators. Boeing’s experience in […]

• Lewis King
• January 12, 2018

Who is flying this airplane?

Today, If you ask “Who is flying this plane?” the answer will be “Captain Smith and First Officer Jones.” And that will be true whether the airplane in question is carrying passengers or freight or both. Tomorrow? Probably the same. But the day after? Think about your last visit to a big airport. To get […]

• David Harris
• December 13, 2017

CAAC to regulate UAVs weighing over 25kgs

Civil aviation authorities around the globe are just starting to come to terms with how to regulate UAVs and drones. Most recently, the Civil Aviation Administration of China revealed that it would focus much of its attention on larger drones, weighing more than 25kgs. From a feasibility standpoint, UAV technologies will soon mature to a […]

• Charles Kauffman
• December 4, 2017

9 Things we learned during our trip to China – Part II

Yesterday in Part I of “9 Things we learned during our trip to China”, we offered a few insights on China’s domestic express and e-commerce markets. What follows is the second installment. We start with reason for optimism.  5. Cross-border trade and e-commerce are expected to be the main drivers for air cargo demand, and will fuel […]

• Charles Kauffman
• November 14, 2017

3 predictions for air cargo in 2020

Last week, our sister publication Air Cargo World, presented its second annual ELEVATE conference in Miami, providing a deep-dive into how digitalization and innovation are rapidly altering the air freight logistics industry. Trends like the e-commerce revolution, and the subsequent emergence of new players in the logistics space have made modernization central to survival for […]

• Charles Kauffman
• October 11, 2017

UPS tests drones that launch from atop its brown vans

UPS has repurposed its classic brown delivery vans to serve not only as parcel transporters, but also as roving drone command centers. In recent tests, retrofitted vans dispatch drones loaded with packages from the roof of the vehicle. The drones travel autonomously to their drop-site, and then return to the vehicle – which has moved on […]

• Charles Kauffman
• February 24, 2017