A historical overview and analysis of e-commerce's milestones and its growing connection with air transport

Stijn Michielsen (), Roel Gevaers () and Wouter Dewulf ()
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Stijn Michielsen: University of Antwerp
Roel Gevaers: University of Antwerp
Wouter Dewulf: University of Antwerp

Journal of Shipping and Trade, 2025, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-35

Abstract: Abstract Building on an integrated historical and conceptual overview of scholarly and industry sources, this paper examines the evolution and transformation of e-commerce. It traces the development of e-commerce from its emergence in the mid-1990s to its current role as a global trade and logistics driver. By defining the concept of e-commerce and exploring significant milestones in its development, including the dot-com bubble and its aftermath, this analysis offers insights into the key milestones that have shaped the e-commerce landscape. It also discusses the growing connection between air cargo and (cross-border) e-commerce, highlighting how the demand for fast and reliable international deliveries has reshaped logistics networks, cargo operations, and aviation strategies. It furthermore explores the evolving role of crucial aviation stakeholders, including freight forwarders, airports, integrators, air carriers, and e-commerce marketplaces as they adapt to the rapid growth of e-commerce-driven air freight. The paper makes three key contributions. First, this historical analysis contextualises the evolution of e-commerce, offering a structured understanding of its most significant milestones. Second, it examines the increasing interdependence between aviation and e-commerce, focusing on industry stakeholders' broad trends and strategic responses. Third, it identifies the most pressing gaps in current research discovered during the analysis and articulates a forward-looking agenda to guide scholars seeking to better understand the sector’s growing complexity from economic and logistics perspectives. As cross-border e-commerce expands, this study offers a foundation for further research on how emerging e-commerce milestones, trends, and models affect global trade, logistics, and aviation.

Keywords: e-commerce; Aviation; Historical analysis; Narrative overview (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1186/s41072-025-00203-5

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