Elite Airborne Express: Strengthening the chain

Sponsored: How pleased are you with your company’s performance in the past 12 months?

“The past year has been good for Airborne. Among our achievements have been improved IT software, real time delivery updates and expansion of our delivery network within the UAE. These have contributed to our overall performance. The opening of a new Airborne office in Bahrain was also a key development for us last year.”

What have been the most exciting developments for the region’s logistics sector, and what will be the main opportunities in the coming months?

“The e-commerce industry has been growing at a fast pace across the UAE and wider GCC. This in turn has benefitted the logistics industry for domestic delivery requirements, as well as the import and re-export of e-commerce shipments. The growth of e-commerce is expected to continue, and high volumes are expected over the next few years.

“Also, with Expo 2020 Dubai approaching, the logistics industry is expected to bring even better results. Expo 2020 is what all companies are looking towards, but it is still too early to see any growth impact. The opening up of Saudi Arabia will also bring new opportunities to the region’s logistics sector – specifically for players in the UAE. Trade relations between the two countries has been good and we hope to see this relationship build in the coming years.”

What does the UAE need to do to grow its logistics industry?

“The UAE is strategically located between east and west, and therefore becomes a strong place for trans-shipments. To grow even more, the UAE needs to keep inflation under control so that the business community can leverage this strategic position. If costs for export and re-export are controlled, and the free zones continue to develop, the country will be able to compete against the market leaders.

“Hi-tech online facilities in the free zones, airports, sea ports and land borders have helped the country build on the challenging logistics requirements. Initiatives taken by the rulers of this country have driven these improvements, making things much easier and faster compared to other developing nations. This plays a very important role in the development of the logistics sector.”

How is the rapid evolution of technology changing the sector?

“The impact has been huge. It is transforming the way we do business now and in the future. There is no doubt that the UAE is one of the top countries where AI and smart technology is concerned, and there is no stone left unturned when it comes to automating the sector. Though there is a long way to go, we are moving at high speed, and we at Airborne are working on automation wherever  we believe it possible.”

What aspects of logistics can AI and other new technologies not improve? Where does the ‘human touch’ still count the most?

“The first area is goods handling. You will always need a person to deliver, pick up or handle your goods. This cannot be easily replaced with a robot. The second is customer service – again, this is a critical area where the human touch is very important. That said, we do see a few sectors where AI is being tested or used instead of human beings, but they will not be easy to replace.”