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We adopt a super slack-based measurement (SBM) data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to estimate the efficiency of five biggest freight rail operators in Russia, which are included in the top 30 freight rail operators in terms of two dimensions – financial and operational efficiency during 2013–2017. The result shows that the private companies characterized by high financial and operational efficiency, while the Rossiiskye Zheleznye Dorogi (RZD) subsidiaries characterized by sufficiently low financial and operational efficiency scores. And the result also presents that operational efficiency score of operators handling universal rolling stock is higher than financial efficiency scores. In contrast, financial efficiency scores of operators handling special rolling stock is higher than operational efficiency scores. rail freight operators in addition to a special rolling stock park should have a universal rolling stock park for higher profitability. State-owned companies and its subsidiary operate inefficiently in the midst of a market economy in Russia. Rail freight operators for a higher level of financial efficiency should be transferred to the private sector.

The purpose of this paper, positioned in the halal logistics research domain, is to bridge the gap between the theory of halal logistics and halal logistics' empirical implementation through a business process reengineering (BPR) project in the context of a major European airport (i.e. Frankfurt Airport, Fraport AG).

An in-depth case study approach has been adopted in the authors' business processes reengineering proposal. Prior investigations on the topic maintained that “business process analysis and activity elimination” (BP and AE) and “problem analysis” (PA) are the most widespread approaches when the prominent business reengineering dimension under analysis is the specific process/task. Consistently, the authors adopted a six-step BP&AE-based model in order to implement the halal logistics requirements in the context of an air cargo supply chain.

This paper addresses fundamental issues about the analysis and the redesign of air cargo processes when halal shipments are taken into account. Conceptual breakthroughs of new processes are suggested. The paper sheds light on potential issues which may arise when adapting the extant air cargo processes to halal logistics guidelines. In addition, the paper suggests an appropriate resolution scheme articulated in two stages of progressively higher compliance to halal logistics according to the Malaysian standards (MS).

The outcome of this work has implications for practitioners, researchers, and transport associations. For practitioners, the study offers an immediately applicable implementation plan which is ready to be discussed with all agents involved in the business reengineering (BR) process. For researchers, the study offers a basis for future halal logistics reengineering projects, both from a theoretical and from an empirical standpoint. Finally, the collaboration of transport associations will become mandatory due to an update of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code system that includes a dedicated halal code, “HAL”, for halal air cargo shipments.

The concept of halal logistics is still in the infant stage and there is a complete lack of academic publications, especially empirical implementations of halal logistics principles. The authors' project provides detailed guidelines to help air cargo operators operating in non-Muslim-dominant countries to reengineer their internal processes and, in doing so, to comply with halal logistics and principles.

This paper has presented a brief description of the SSS industry in Europe and has discussed what is meant by this industry, what types of ships are involved, what cargoes are carried, what are the main geographical areas of operations, what are the industry's strengths and weaknesses, and what users require from the industry before it can become a realistic choice for many in multimodallogistics transport chains.

The global economy and air transport business have been negatively affected owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. As countries tighten restrictions on international movements, the growing emphasis on air cargo places pressure on airports to maintain and upgrade their cargo policies, facilities and operations. Hence, ensuring the competitiveness of cargo airports is pivotal for their survival under volatile global demand. This study aims to evaluate the importance of competitiveness factors for cargo airports and identify areas for further improvement.

This study applies the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to assess the cargo airports' competitiveness factors.

The results identified “Transport Capacity” as the most significant competitiveness factor, implying that airport connectivity is crucial in promoting cargo transportation at hub airports. This result was followed by “Airport Operations' and Facilities' Capacity” and “Economic Growth.”. Additionally, the results identified Hong Kong International Airport as the best-performing cargo airport, followed by Aéroport de Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Incheon International Airport, respectively. Furthermore, both selected European airports are the most competitive airports in terms of “Financial Performance” and appear to be aware of the significance of their brand value.

This study forms a reference framework for evaluating cargo airports’ competitive positions, which may help identify airports’ relative strengths and weaknesses. Moreover, this framework can also serve as a tool to facilitate the strategic design of airports that can accommodate air cargo demand flexibly under demand uncertainty.