INNOVATION-DRIVEN EVOLUTION OF AIR CARGO LOGISTICS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

The air cargo industry is undergoing structural transformation driven by technological innovation and digitalization. Traditionally based on fragmented, document-intensive processes, air cargo logistics is evolving toward integrated, data-driven ecosystems characterized by real-time visibility, automation, and digital collaboration. This study examines how innovation drives structural change in air cargo logistics, drawing on institutional data and reports from IATA, ICAO, the World Bank, and UNCTAD. Using a socio-technical innovation perspective, the analysis explores the interaction between technological adoption, organizational restructuring, and regulatory adaptation, with particular attention to digital supply chains, e-freight initiatives, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, blockchain, and smart cargo terminals (Ivanov & Dolgui, 2020; Wamba et al., 2020).

The findings indicate that while digitalization improves efficiency, transparency, and resilience, persistent challenges remain, including interoperability constraints, governance issues, cybersecurity risks, and uneven adoption across regions. The study demonstrates that successful innovation outcomes depend not only on technology deployment but also on institutional readiness, infrastructure capacity, and strategic innovation management (Büyüközkan & Göçer, 2018; Queiroz et al., 2021). The article concludes that digital transformation represents a systemic reconfiguration of value creation and coordination mechanisms within global supply chains and outlines future trends related to AI-driven decision-making and automation.