What is a direct connection in logistics?
Definition and explanation: Direct connections in logistics
In logistics, a direct connection refers to an uninterrupted flight leg or a non-stop truck route between two geographical points. In air cargo, a direction connection enables a shipment to be transported from its airport of origin directly, without transit, to its final-destination airport. This direct connection is also known as ‘point to point’.
In the case of truck services, a direct connection is one that takes the shipment from its location of origin straight to its destination location. In lay terms, a direct connection is sometimes referred to as going ‘from A to B’.
Difference between a direct connection and a feeder service
Direct connections are flights that go straight from origin airport to destination airport, and do not form part of a hub and spoke system. The shipment on a direct connection is only booked for one flight leg. Direct connections often take place between two smaller airports. Direct connections can, however, also fly between large airport hubs or from smaller airports to airport hubs and vice versa. The difference to a feeder service, is that the shipment on board of a direct connection reaches its final destination upon landing. A feeder service, on the other hand, takes a shipment from an origin airport to a hub, where it is transferred to a second flight.
Direct connections on the road
Direct truck connections are sometimes called shuttles, and are scheduled between two geographical points that see a high volume of traffic. They differ to road feeder services, which describe the transport of shipments to hubs where they are then onforwarded on a second journey leg.