As online shopping becomes the dominant mode for consumers, businesses are under pressure to meet rising expectations for fast and reliable deliveries, which has led to a greater reliance on airfreight services. Air cargo provides a level of speed and efficiency that other transportation modes cannot match. By 2027, e-commerce volume is expected to be 20-25 percent of all air cargo volumes globally, reflecting how deeply this sector is reshaping the logistics landscape.
Additionally, the rise of e-commerce has spurred demand for more specialised airfreight solutions. These include services catering to smaller, lighter, high-frequency shipments, which often require flexibility and tailored last-mile delivery options.
Air carriers have had to adapt by integrating advanced tracking systems, real-time monitoring, and transparent pricing structures to satisfy new customer needs. This shift is transforming the air cargo sector as it evolves to handle the growing complexity and volume of e-commerce shipments.
“Delta Cargo is adapting to the increased volume of smaller, high-frequency shipments driven by e-commerce by innovating and expanding service offerings,” Jeffrey Elder, Delta Cargo’s Head of Product Development, explained.
“DeliverDirect offers a seamless, dock-to-door solution tailored for e-commerce small package delivery. This service is specifically designed to meet the growing demand for fast, reliable shipping in the e-commerce sector. As this market continues to expand, Delta Cargo remains committed to evolving its solutions to consistently deliver exceptional service.”
Targeted offer
The launch of DeliverDirect, powered by SmartKargo, aligns with key trends in the e-commerce industry that are reshaping the airfreight sector, particularly the growing demand for fast, direct-to-consumer shipping.
As e-commerce continues to boom, consumers expect quicker delivery times and greater visibility throughout the shipping process. This shift is driving the need for airfreight solutions that can handle smaller, high-frequency shipments with speed and precision.
“DeliverDirect addresses this demand by offering a streamlined solution that enhances efficiency, leverages real-time tracking, and meets the rising expectations of e-commerce customers,” Elder outlined.
“In the e-commerce shipping sector, time and efficiency can have a significant impact on business success; the speed of moving goods is crucial for customer retention and cost optimisation. Transit times for traditional carriers can vary widely and may be slower than customers’ expectations and demands.
“Expanding shipping options to other carriers can provide businesses with more flexibility and increased efficiency in their supply chain. With various service options, DeliverDirect empowers retailers to customise their solution according to their preferences and, most importantly, their customers’ needs.”
Flexible option
While the broader airfreight industry remains largely driven by B2B shipments and measured by tonnage, DeliverDirect focuses on the B2B2C segment, specialising in small parcel deliveries.
This makes DeliverDirect an ideal solution for e-commerce shippers looking for faster, more flexible options for their customers. DeliverDirect will create new opportunities for shippers to meet the growing demands of small parcel delivery with speed and transparency, enhancing their ability to compete in the fast-paced e-commerce landscape.
DeliverDirect utilises dedicated capacity on Delta passenger flights and thus provides customers with access to Delta’s extensive domestic network, with more than 2,500 daily flights.
Delta Cargo’s offering provides end-to-end tracking throughout transit, including in the air, enabling shippers to monitor the entire journey from warehouse to customer doorstep.
Customers also benefit from the proven operational reliability that Delta provides. Delta Air Lines was named the most on-time airline in North America in 2023 by Cirium, and Delta Cargo is among the top-performing air cargo carriers reporting through Cargo iQ in average NFD – IATA’s industry standard metric for on-time performance – for total airport-to-airport shipments over the last 12 months.
“DeliverDirect enables unparalleled speed for e-commerce shippers by leveraging Delta’s vast domestic flight network, allowing parcels to move more quickly and efficiently via direct air routes. This can drastically reduce transit times compared to traditional ground and multi-stop logistics methods,” Elder stated.
