Market segmentation of airline cargo transport

Abstract

This study evaluates the market segmentation of airline cargo transport according to service requirements of air freight forwarders. Data obtained using a questionnaire survey reveal that cargo safety is perceived as the most important service attribute, followed by freight rate, cargo tracking, and flight punctuality. Factor analysis is employed to group service attributes into six categories, namely assurance, promptness, empathy, convenience, value added, and customization. According to these service attributes, users of airline cargo transport are then classified into three market segments, namely professional service-oriented, empathy-oriented, and express service-oriented air freight forwarders. Suggestions on marketing strategy formulation for each respective segment are also provided as references to airlines.