Air Freight
Air cargo for time-critical shipments
The most suitable flight plan and door-to-door tracking for urgent shipments, high-value goods and short-deadline projects.
Air freight outperforms every other mode where the deadline is what matters. Its unit cost is high; in return it lowers total cost wherever it prevents inventory expense, a production stoppage or a contractual penalty for late delivery. High-value, low-volume, time-critical cargo is the typical use case.
How the rate is calculated: volumetric weight
Air cargo is charged on whichever is greater, the actual weight of the shipment or its volumetric weight. That figure is known as the chargeable weight.
Volumetric weight is found, under the widely applied IATA rule, by multiplying length, width and height in centimetres and dividing by 6000. One cubic metre is therefore treated as roughly 167 kilograms. On light, bulky cargo the cost consequently exceeds the actual weight.
Because the dimensions of the packaging feed straight into the cost, palletising and boxing plans should be reviewed with the real external measurements before quoting.
Direct and transit flight planning
Direct flights give the shortest transit time and remove the risk of delay caused by transfers. Connecting options offer a wider destination network and usually a more favourable cost.
The cargo hold of passenger aircraft (belly cargo) provides regular, frequent capacity, while freighters come into play for bulky or unusually shaped cargo. The flight plan is built by weighing the dimensions of the cargo, the deadline and the handling conditions at destination together.
Documents and special cargo
The core document in air transport is the air waybill (AWB). It evidences the contract of carriage and receipt of the goods; unlike a sea bill of lading it does not represent title and therefore cannot be endorsed.
Shipments classed as dangerous goods fall under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; packaging, labelling and declaration are prepared to those rules. Lithium batteries, aerosols and chemicals are common cargo types requiring that treatment.
Security regulations require air cargo to pass a security screening before loading. Known consignor status and a correctly prepared declaration keep that process moving without delay.
FAQ
Common questions about this service
What does volumetric weight mean?
It is the weight equivalent of the space the cargo occupies. In air freight it is found by multiplying length, width and height in centimetres and dividing by 6000, then comparing the result with the actual weight; the rate is charged on whichever is greater.
Is an AWB the same as a bill of lading?
No. An air waybill evidences the contract of carriage and receipt of the goods, but does not represent title and cannot be endorsed. A sea bill of lading does represent title and is transferable.
Can I ship a product containing lithium batteries?
Lithium batteries are classed as dangerous goods and require packaging, labelling and declaration compliant with IATA rules. The battery type, its capacity and whether it ships inside equipment all affect planning, so these should be shared before quoting.
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Which model is right for your cargo?
Share your route and cargo details and we will determine the most suitable transport model together.