ABSTRACT:
KLM has revealed the plan to downsize the full-freight cargo fleet in Schiphol Airport, for that reason the company requires to explore the consequences of moving the cargo transported by the Full freighters into the bellies of the passenger flights. In the current study, the authors analyse the implications of that decision by using public information of KLM cargo. We analysed four different scenarios taking into consideration the future cargo fleet, the load factors and how the transition towards the Belly operation should impact the current operation of KLM at Schiphol. Our study show that the first impact will be in the increase of traffic of commercial flights, the traffic of KLM should match the destinations and frequency of flights in order to absorb the cargo from The Netherlands to the rest of the world. The results rises the discussion on future problems to be faced and how to make a smooth transition from full freighter to belly operation in addition to the key question if KLM fleet is able to absorb the increase in cargo or requires to subcontract companies for specific destinations.
Keywords: Air freight operations, optimum capacity, air-freight performance, Full Freighters, Belly capacity, scenario, multi-modal transport