Air freight service, also known as air cargo, is the mode of transport used to transport cargo swiftly by air. Airfreight is the most valuable form of transport when shipping or transporting goods in the fastest time around the globe. Since the costs of transporting by air are generally high than road and rail based services, air freight services have grown significantly over recent years to become the method of choice when time sensitive deliveries are required from point A to point B.
Air Cargo Defined
When your company needs a load to go from point A to point B, what does it use for transport? If you said the plane then you’re absolutely correct! Air cargo is one of many forms of air freight service.
Think about it like a package that goes from New York City to Honolulu in one day. That sounds impossible, but not when there are cargo planes doing it all day long and around the clock! There’s also airmail which is another form of air freight service. It works much differently than air cargo though because airmail doesn’t get priority over other types of mail.
Airfreight service can be used for both commercial and private purposes. It’s perfect if you need to ship an important part or item quickly without any hiccups along the way. It has become so popular due to its speed and efficiency at getting goods where they need to be on time while keeping costs low as well.
It has become so popular that even some major airlines have started offering their own air freight services so they can compete with others in their industry who offer them as well.
What is the importance of air cargo?
Well, air cargo service simply put, is one of the most efficient and reliable methods for transporting goods to the desired destination. The major benefit of using air freight services can be attributed to several factors. For starters, shipping via air cargo services entails faster transit time as opposed to other modes of transport such as shipping by sea or road. Moreover, costs involved in air freight are relatively lower compared to that incurred during transportation by rail and sea.
Air cargo service has also been found to be more cost-effective compared to other means of transportation when it comes to transporting bulky goods. As one of many forms of intermodal transport which can be used in conjunction with others, containers are usually transported by sea-freight then transferred overland by train before reaching their final destination.
Air cargo services have proven to be an important part of any business’ supply chain strategy. They help companies manage logistics efficiently while ensuring that products reach customers on time. In addition, air cargo services offer businesses flexibility in terms of how they choose to ship their products from one place to another since air carriers provide various options for airfreight delivery.
It’s not just businesses who enjoy all these benefits; individuals too can use air cargo service for personal reasons including moving house or sending gifts overseas among others.
How does air shipping work?
Air shipping or airfreight involves transporting goods by air in specially designed planes that can fly long distances without stopping. Airfreight service is beneficial to transport perishable goods because unlike surface transport, airplanes do not stop to take on fuel.
Most airlines offer a reliable delivery service with flight insurance and Customs and Immigration Control documentation so your goods will arrive safely at their destination. When you ship via air freight service, you have several options for packaging: standard cargo boxes are available from most airlines; if you need a custom size, box makers will be able to accommodate your needs; or if you want something more durable than cardboard boxes, plastic crates are also an option.
What products are suitable for air shipping?
Commodities shipped by air thus have high values per unit or are very time-sensitive, such as documents, pharmaceuticals, fashion garments, production samples, electronics consumer goods, and perishable agricultural and seafood products.
What are the types of air cargo?
An active member of IATA, transports all sorts of cargo, including dangerous goods (hazardous materials) and live animals, as long as shipments are submitted in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and IATA Live Animals Regulations.
General Air Cargo
Special Air Cargo
General air cargo includes General Dry Cargo Shipping Dry goods are any items that do not contain liquid, such as textiles, retail or consumer goods, machinery and hardware, electronics, etc
Special air cargo includes temperature Controlled, Hazardous Material/Dangerous Goods, Heavyweight and over-dimensional freight, Live Animals, High Value/Fragile Items
What is the difference between air freight and air cargo?
It’s important to understand that air freight and air cargo are not quite interchangeable terms. In fact, it’s entirely possible for a single shipment to be both at once. But in general, air freight tends to refer to shipping via larger planes that fly longer distances at high speeds, while air cargo refers to shipping via smaller planes (often as part of scheduled flights) that fly shorter distances and make more frequent stops.
It’s generally easier and less expensive to ship large packages by air cargo than by air freight because of those size restrictions. If you need something shipped from New York City to San Francisco next week, it might make sense for you to hire a freight forward service provider instead of calling FedEx or UPS.
On the other hand, if you’re moving your entire family across the country, it would probably be cheaper to use a freight service. The point is: don’t confuse air freight with air cargo. They’re different things. And they have different uses and pricing structures.
What are air cargo carriers?
A carrier is a business entity that transports cargo to another country or location on behalf of clients. They may be privately owned or operated by government agencies, sometimes in conjunction with private entities.
Carriers are critical to global supply chains and they rely on international freight rates. Different shipping services are offered at different prices but most airlines offer their own specialized shipping programs.
Some carriers even let you book shipments online while others require physical paperwork to be filled out and submitted ahead of time. Common carriers include: FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, TNT Airways, and DHL Express among many others worldwide.
What are the types of air cargo carriers?
There are two types of air cargo carriers. They are (1) Major Airlines and (2) Cargo Airlines. Major airlines offer international air cargo services, which are generally faster than those offered by cargo airlines.
Cargo airlines, on the other hand, offer domestic air freight services. They have smaller planes and can fly to more locations than major airlines. Additionally, they can accommodate a larger volume of goods in their aircraft as compared to major airlines which typically have larger planes with less volume capacity.
This makes them ideal for transporting large volumes of goods at low costs. However, because they operate smaller aircraft, it takes longer for them to reach their destinations. Thus, you need to factor in transit time when choosing between these two options.
What are the major threats in air transport?
Loss or damage to goods during air transport: Goods are lost due to natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Cargo can also be damaged in these situations. Accidents and incidents, including bird strikes and acts of terrorism: Planes, have been hijacked, sometimes by their own crew.
Delays when traveling with pets, unaccompanied minors, or people with special needs: Problems result when travelers need assistance during a flight but are unable to get it. Bad weather conditions affecting flights: Severe storms cause delays that ruin holiday plans and business trips when flying. The only way to avoid such problems would be to stay at home or plan your trip from another place altogether! Sometimes airport closures delay flights too!
What is the biggest issue when transporting via air?
When you’re shipping goods via air, there are a few factors that can cause major delays. These include Inclement weather; International regulations and paperwork; Weather-related airport closures.
When it comes to transporting goods by air, these delays can have significant consequences on your supply chain as well as your bottom line. This is why it’s important to choose an air freight service provider with global reach and extensive experience in expedited shipping services.
At Consolidated Shipping Line, we offer custom solutions for all of your transportation needs. We work with leading carriers to ensure world-class services at affordable rates. Our goal is to get you from point A to point B quickly so you can focus on what matters most—running your business efficiently and profitably!
What are the advantages and disadvantages of air transport?
The main advantage of air cargo is that items are shipped quickly, often within hours or at most a day. In many cases, businesses are able to schedule delivery within a day of shipping, which can’t be done by other modes of transportation. Another advantage is that air freight charges tend to be much lower than those for other forms of transport, such as sea freight and trucking.
The downside to air freight is its expense; while charges are low per pound or kilometer, they’re generally higher than those for water or ground transport. This isn’t as big an issue with small shipments, but it can add up if you’re shipping hundreds or thousands of pounds.
What is IATA and ICAO?
IATA stands for International Air Transport Association and ICAO stands for International Civil Aviation Organization. These are both international governing bodies who set rules and regulations of air transportation.
Together, these two organizations allow international shipments to travel around with little hassle to customers and shipping companies alike. Without them, there would be many more hurdles in regards to shipping goods internationally due to customs regulations or lack thereof.
This also allows your package to be routed through multiple countries en route to its destination, which can help reduce costs.