Case Study: Air Import
Understanding Cycle Time in Air Import Operations
The Problem
In air import operations, speed and accuracy are everything. Every shipment goes through a series of critical steps: pre-alert receipt, document review, customs filing, airline coordination, and final delivery updates. But as volumes rise and costs increase, U.S.-based teams often struggle to keep up with the pace.
Delays don’t just frustrate customers—they create a ripple effect across the supply chain, increasing storage costs, delaying trucking schedules, and impacting compliance. The key metric that determines how efficiently these processes are handled is cycle time.
What is Cycle Time?
Cycle time is the total time it takes to complete a process from start to finish. In air import operations, that could mean the time from receiving a pre-alert to sending a final delivery update to the client. The shorter the cycle time, the faster shipments move through the system, and the more satisfied customers are.
Cycle time is more than just a number—it highlights bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. For example:
- Long cycle times in document review may point to missing or unclear paperwork.
- Delays in customs filing may reveal gaps in compliance workflows.
- Extended cycle times in client communication may show the need for more standardized updates.
- Long cycle times mean longer periods of Accounts Receivable.
Zenov BPO’s Solution
At Zenov BPO, we specialize in helping logistics companies reduce cycle times by managing their air import back-office operations with precision and scale. Our offshore teams are trained on client-specific SOPs and supported with continuous monitoring to ensure every shipment moves quickly and accurately through the process.
With Zenov BPO, companies can:
- Establish baseline cycle times and track them consistently.
- Identify and eliminate delays in real time.
- Standardize workflows across multiple offices or gateways.
- Continuously shorten cycle times to improve service levels and reduce costs.
The Impact
Zenov BPO’s focus on cycle time delivers measurable results:
- Faster customs clearance and shipment visibility
- Reduced detention and storage costs
- Stronger compliance with fewer errors
- Improved client confidence through timely, consistent updates
In today’s competitive logistics environment, cycle time isn’t just an internal metric—it’s a driver of customer trust and long-term business growth. With Zenov BPO, logistics companies gain a partner dedicated to making cycle time improvements a scalable reality.