The effect of unmanned aerial vehicles on crisis management in air cargo transportation during crisis periods

In recent years, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles has become increasingly widespread and has become a technology that has found its place in various sectors. In particular, the cargo transportation sector stands out as one of the areas where unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to show the most development. Many organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises, have started to benefit from this technology, especially in times of crisis. Unmanned aerial vehicles are actively used in natural disasters, epidemics, animal husbandry, fires, military operations, earthquakes, medical and agricultural fields. These vehicles have a great importance in overcoming the crisis in all kinds of crisis situations. This study examines the role of unmanned aerial vehicles in cargo transportation in times of crisis and collects the opinions of air cargo transportation companies and their managers in Turkey by using face-to-face interview techniques. The collected data was analyzed through content analysis and the advantages of UAVs in terms of speed, cost, safety and accessibility were comprehensively analyzed. The potential offered by UAVs is emphasized, especially in emergency interventions in difficult and inaccessible areas. The main advantages of UAVs in cargo transportation include fast delivery capacity, cost effectiveness and operational agility. They can ensure timely and safe delivery of critical cargo, especially medical supplies and emergency relief equipment, and provide critical logistical support in times of crisis by overcoming geographical and traffic obstacles. With these characteristics, UAVs are recognized as valuable tools in crisis management. Taking into account the strategic advantages and operational flexibility that UAVs offer in crisis management, the findings of this study reveal how this technology can be effectively utilized in times of crisis and daily logistics operations. The development and operational integration of UAV technology could revolutionize the logistics industry, increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs. As a result, it is concluded that the role of drones in cargo transportation should be further expanded and their potential in this field should be fully exploited..