Global supply chains are becoming more regionalised and agile, and companies are adapting by leveraging expertise in connecting transportation networks.
Amid that environment, Miami, a well known as the gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, connecting North America with Latin America, the Caribbean and beyond has seen an influx of European, Middle Eastern and Asian, enhancing its role as a key connection point.
The increasing purchasing power in Asia is reshaping global trade dynamics, particularly in the fresh produce market. As Asian economies continue to grow, consumers are demanding higher quality and diverse food options, leading to a surge in imports of fresh products from the Americas. This shift not only creates lucrative opportunities for American exporters but also fosters stronger trade relationships between these regions.
Latin America, known for its rich agricultural resources, can supply a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that cater to the evolving tastes of Asian and Middle Eastern consumers. This growing demand presents a unique opportunity for businesses to expand their market reach, capitalise on premium pricing, and innovate in logistics and distribution to meet the needs of this flourishing market.
“Over the past year, GSAForce has significantly strengthened its presence in key markets such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile and USA with its own offices and team,” Felipe Kaplan, GSA Force’s CEO and Founder, stated.
“We’ve secured new airline partnerships and enhanced our service offerings by investing in digital solutions. Our boutique approach and network of owned offices, allows us to offer services, ensuring our clients receive personalised support that adapts to their unique needs.
Preparing for change
The airline industry is extremely sensitive to all types of changes, including trade policies and geopolitical shifts, such as the US-China tensions and evolving regulations in Latin America. These shifts present both challenges and opportunities, affecting capacity and demand.
Additionally, the growing trade between Africa and the US presents further opportunities for air cargo, demanding a better ability to connect these markets.
The industry has also been impacted by the rise of e-commerce – a key driver in the Americas and beyond, demanding a shift in how GSSAs operate, particularly with the need for detailed tracking and real-time information sharing.
“At GSA Force, we provide boutique, tailor-made solutions to meet these complex demands, ensuring our customers receive personalised and highly efficient services,” Kaplan explained.
“Moreover, our alliance – Joint venture with MegaCap Aviation Service in Asia, allows us to have a global vision and deliver a wider service, further enhancing our capabilities.
Digital insights
Technology has transformed every industry, and air cargo is no exception. While the industry has been slower to adopt digitalisation, GSAForce is seeking to lead the charge with solutions designed to simplify complex operations.
“We avoid “off-the-shelf” systems, preferring solutions that fit the unique needs of our GSSA operations,” Kaplan said.
“We’ve adopted electronic data interchange (EDI) and real-time tracking systems, helping us connect the various entities in the logistics chain.
“By utilising our proprietary tool (DataForce), we can manage and understand large and complex data from many different sources and offer data-driven insights for Revenue management decisions. We ensure the technology we use provides maximum value for our clients, improving booking systems, visibility, and overall efficiency.
Looking ahead
The industry expects to see the demand for faster, more reliable air cargo services to continue to grow, especially driven by e-commerce and the healthcare sector.
Inter-country regulations and restrictions will most probably continue to increase and logistic solutions and workarounds for those situations must be found.
Narrowbody planes are becoming more efficient and accessing routes normally served by widebody planes. This tendency will change the air cargo flows and may increase the demand for freighter planes in some routes, which may also be fuel for new alliances and new cargo hubs may appear.
“We see tremendous opportunities in e-commerce, pharmaceuticals and perishable industries that demand highly efficient and fast logistics. GSAForce is positioning itself as a leader in this space by offering solutions for both the import and export of goods, connecting the US, Latin America, Asia and Middle East,” Kaplan highlighted.
“Our proprietary DATAFORCE tool helps us in early detection and management of these trends and allow our customers to make the best possible decisions before their competitors.
“At GSAForce, we are continuously enhancing our digital capabilities and expanding our services into high-growth markets. Sustainability will play a larger role in the industry, and we are actively building a more resilient and sustainable network to meet these evolving needs.”