RFS as an Unconventional Method of Cargo Shipment by Air Transport

The role of air transport in logistics and supply chains seems difficult to be overestimated. In recent years increasing amounts of cargo have been transported by air. Numerous high-tech devices, valuable equipment, medical products and appliances are transported by air. The main advantage of air transport is speed but also broad transportation geography, high reliability and security of goods supplies and continuous monitoring of cargo flows. Air transport can be organized in a traditional way, however there are also some unconventional methods to handle such transport processes. The RFS model (Road Feeder Service) comes as a response to the demands of the contemporary market of logistics services. Scopes: The subject of the paper is the presentation of an unconventional way of organizing the carriage of goods by air, presenting its attractiveness to all parties involved in the transportation process, as well as directions of its development. Methodology: The methodology of the paper is based on 2 dimensions: analysis and synthesis. The first phase included a thorough thematic literature review, analysis of case studies of Polish air cargo market. It was complemented by interviewing airlines representatives about RFS solutions. In the synthetic phase, the study provided conclusions based on the theoretical analysis and the survey of case study. Results: Results of the research shows RFS solution, involving transportation of cargo (commissioned by airlines) by trucks from regional airports to major cargo airports, referred to as hubs, and then transportation of cargo by air, using is caused by the necessity of increasing cargo transport efficiency by the airlines. It is also important to note the willingness of airports, both hubs and regional, to cooperate with air carriers in the area of air cargo handling in RFS model.