OVERNIGHT AIR EXPRESS: SPATIAL PATTERN, COMPETITION AND THE FUTURE IN SMALL PACKAGE DELIVERY SERVICE

The inception of overnight air express delivery systems in the 1970s was the most recent revolutionary technological innovation in the history of transportation. That "new concept" in air transportation has made it possible for an individual, business, or governmental unit to ship a small parcel overnight, door to door, between any two points served by the service's transportation network. The article provides an overview of the air express delivery operation; its hub and spoke system; competition; and future expectations.