The tiniest parts in an aircraft can cause the most chaos. If an airplane can’t pass inspection or needs maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), it results in an aircraft on ground (AOG) situation, meaning the plane can’t return to service until the problem is resolved. There are many reasons an AOG occurs, but they all have one thing in common: It costs money and puts more urgency into a situation that already is following a strict schedule to deliver the airfreight. A grounded airplane is often in need of MRO and can happen anywhere and any place. So what can freight forwarders do when it’s the middle of the night, a replacement part is stuck in Houston, and an AOG in Salt Lake City needs it immediately?
In AOG logistics, what happens afterward determines if there will be some light turbulence on the cargo’s journey or a significant dent in the bottom line. Freight forwarders must work with carriers that have the capacity to handle all AOG situations and don’t take advantage of the situation. This article discusses the heightened costs of AOG delays and how Carrier 911’s expedited recovery turns potential AOG logistics disasters into final mile success that leads to on-time deliveries.
A grounded airplane disrupts the entire supply chain. When aircraft can’t fly for technical reasons, airlines often can’t fulfill the scheduled flights, and airfreight delivery turns into an emergency situation for freight forwarders and carriers. Each AOG scenario forces a ripple effect down the line, possibly forcing numerous flights to be delayed or canceled while potentially costing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars and leading to disgruntled customers and logistics partners. Air cargo trucking and recovery are needed to provide urgent results after AOG delays. An AOG scenario means the delivery timeline is behind schedule, so expedited trucking recovery services must run flawlessly to get everything back on track. Let’s dive into three challenges companies encounter without optimal performance:
A survey says 90% of customers actively track their packages. Who hasn’t double- or tripled-checked to see when a shipment is due, especially for an important one? Companies that don’t offer real-time status updates may lose customers that want end-to-end visibility for their shipments. Customers want to know if there are any disruptions so that they may take corrective action and go with backup plans as needed. If a customer waiting for the latest iPhone delivery to their house has those expectations, imagine how the stakes increase in logistics with larger, time-sensitive shipments.
Poor visibility following an AOG often leaves stakeholders with vague information regarding their freight’s location and ETA, leading to miscommunication and a lack of trust. Without real-time tracking, parties are left without vital information, resulting in delays and potentially hampering recovery operations. And the adverse effects of poor visibility compound even further when disruptions occur.
Recent innovations have brought more automation than ever into the logistics industry and helped eliminate slow, manual processes for many companies. With AOG shipping, freight forwarders can’t afford to waste time making check calls and completing a mountain of paperwork. Any minutes lost to playing phone tag or trading emails further jeopardizes making an on-time delivery. Freight forwarders and carriers need to be able to communicate when time is critical. Documentation that isn’t accurate and complete when the recovery team reaches the airport or logistics hub may also put everyone further behind schedule. Inefficient manual processes translate to more labor hours, costs, and risk of human errors.
Logistics pros must be more careful than ever regarding their reputation these days. If they aren’t complying with all regulations, word will quickly spread, resulting in the possible loss of customers’ trust and a hit to the bottom line. The airfreight trucking recovery industry is strictly regulated, so freight forwarders must understand the ins and outs of compliance, or they risk slow recovery times, not to mention consequences such as fines, penalties, and possible legal action. Companies must stay current on legal requirements regarding insurance, licensing, International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, and safety. Environmental regulations are also becoming the norm. Failure to heed them may result in a publicity hit that frightens away customers and other potential logistics partners.
Working with an airfreight trucking recovery services expert is crucial in high-stakes AOG freight situations. Time is already short, and their expertise ensures you won’t lose time or money dealing with pain points such as poor visibility, slow manual processes, and a failure to comply with regulations. Reliable airfreight trucking companies such as Carrier 911 are well-versed in handling unique challenges and know how to respond urgently. They’ll be able to recover the freight and help in the following ways:
For freight forwarders, every second in an AOG matters. They must do everything possible to get the aircraft flying again as quickly as possible. If they don’t, shippers and customers may point the finger at them and wonder what went wrong.
A contingency plan that includes contacting an airfreight trucking recovery carrier that can provide solutions is always a sound strategy. Carrier 911 can take over and save the day when delays like an AOG threaten to delay your urgent deliveries. Carrier 911 provides expedited recovery and complete visibility with automated notifications, so you always know the status of your freight. It moves with urgency to get parts where they need to go ASAP to conquer the final mile. Contact Carrier 911 today to get started.
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