Air Freight

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Air Freight

Air freight is a fast and efficient way to transport goods across the globe, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its speed, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. When it comes to composing a write-up for air freight, there are several key points that should be included:

Air freight is the transportation of goods by air, typically using cargo planes, and that it is a popular option for businesses that need to move goods quickly and efficiently.

Benefits Of Air Freight

1. Fastest shipping method:- Air freight is faster than other modes of transportation, such as sea or land, and that it is more reliable because it is less affected by weather and traffic conditions. Additionally, air freight can be cost-effective for businesses that need to transport high-value or time-sensitive goods.

2. Less packaging required:- Normally, air shipments require less heavy packing than for example ocean shipments. This means that you save both time and money to provide service for additional packing.

3. Send your cargo almost anywhere:- Many airlines have a large network of destinations that covers almost the entire world. This means that you can send the shipment to nearly every destination.

4. Low insurance premium means large savings:- As the transportation time for air cargo is comparatively short, the insurance premium is lower. Even if air freight can be expensive, this brings about savings in terms of lower insurance costs.

5. High level of security and reduced risk of theft and damage:- Shipping by air offers the advantage of a high level of security, as the airport safety controls over cargo are tightly managed. Tightly managed airport controls also reduce the cargo exposure to theft and damage.

Process Of Air Freight

Preparation

Customer requests shipment
Customer or origin agent provides shipment information
Pick-up arrangements are made by customer or origin agent
Origin agent books shipment

Shipment

Local carrier departs with shipment
Agent tracks shipment, turns over documents for customs clearance
Shipment arrives at destination airport

Delivery

Customs broker clears freight and delivers release documents
Dispatches the shipment, providing delivery agent with necessary documents
Agent delivers shipment and provides proof of delivery to Consignee

Type Of Goods That Can Be Transported By Air Freight

When looking at the various types of cargo transported by air, they fall into two main groups: General Cargo and Special Cargo. Special Cargo is then divided up into smaller specialized sub-groups. It is these specialized sub-groups we will take a much closer look at further on.

What is general cargo?

General cargo are items that do not fall into the Special Cargo categories and that do not require any extra precautions or special handling during air transport. These types of items are retail and most consumer goods (with the exception of mobile phones, tablets and laptops) , dry goods, hardware, textiles, and more. Think of your average, everyday objects; most of those would fall into the general cargo area.

What is special cargo?

Special cargo is where things get a little more complicated. Special cargo are goods that, due to their nature, weight, dimensions and/or value, may have specific requirements including packaging, labelling, documentation and handling through the transport chain. The transport of these goods are addressed through specific regulations that must be followed when preparing, offering, accepting and handling this cargo. Items include dangerous goods, live animals, perishable cargo, wet cargo, time and temperature sensitive products among others. To ensure that there are globally harmonized standards that ensures the safe and facilitates of these products, IATA has three Boards: the Dangerous Goods Board (DGB), Time and Temperature Working Group (TTWG), and the Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB), which manage the standards and guidance related to the transport of these products.To learn more about this special cargo, let's break it down.

What to know about shipping dangerous goods?

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual is the global reference for shipping dangerous goods by air and the only standard recognized by airlines. It provides everything needed to classify, prepare, accept and handle dangerous goods shipments in compliance with international air transport regulations. IATA has been publishing the DGR for over 60 years. The DGR is published annually to ensure that the industry has the most up-to-date information regarding the shipping of dangerous goods. IATA works closely with governments, other industry associations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the development of these regulations. This way, IATA ensures that the regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by air are effective, efficient and internationally accepted to facilitate their transport while putting the safety of all those on board first.

Limitations for shipping dangerous goods

While some dangerous goods are too dangerous for transport by air except under very detailed allowance by the civil aviation authority, many can only be transported on cargo-only aircraft, and others can be transported on both cargo and passenger aircraft. No matter which type of aircraft the dangerous goods are shipped on, there are always specific requirements that must be followed.

When considering limitations for shipping dangerous goods it is never acceptable to ship any substance that is likely to "explode, dangerously react, produce a flame or dangerous evolution of heat or dangerous emission of toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours under conditions normally encountered in transport must not be carried on aircraft under any circumstance," per the IATA DGR.

There are still many other materials that may only be carried under very particular circumstances. These are considered "Dangerous Goods Forbidden Unless Exempted."

Other everyday items may not seem outwardly dangerous but need to be checked for hazardous components, such as battery-powered devices, breathing apparatus, and dental apparatus. This is why it is important that passenger check-in, cargo reservation, sales, and passenger reservation staff all be provided with appropriate information so that they are well-informed and well-trained on what are dangerous goods.

Dangerous goods are grouped into nine classes:

Class 1-Explosives
Class 2-Gasses
Class 3-Flammable Liquids
Class 4-Flammable Solids; Substance Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
Class 5-Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
Class 6-Toxic and Infectious Substances
Class 7-Radioactive Material
Class 8-Corrosives
Class 9-Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances

What to know about shipping temperature controlled goods?

Some commodities, such as pharmaceuticals, blood supplies, organs, or other life sciences products require specific controls on the temperature to which they are exposed during transport. Meeting the provisions of the IATA Temperature Control Regulations Manual (TCR) ensure that no matter what temperature-controlled goods you ship, they will be delivered safely and securely.

What to know about shipping perishable goods?

With fresh fruits and vegetables becoming more and more popular year-round, transportation of perishable goods is in high demand. Shorter travel time and controlled temperature make transporting perishable goods by air the preferred means of shipping.

Documentation and labeling for temperature controlled goods

When shipping temperature-controlled goods it is crucial that all documentation is filled out completely and legibly. Using the shipper’s and consignee’s full information and phone numbers is suggested. Using IATA’s 3 letter handling codes is always a recommended practice.

If the shipment is accompanied by any certificates or health documentation, then those should be documented in the “Handling Information” box of the Air Waybill. You should fill out the “Nature and Quantity of Goods” portion of the Air Waybill and make note if dry ice is being used as a refrigerant as it is considered a dangerous good.

MAIN REASON TO CONSIDER AIR FREIGHT

Speed and Reliability

The biggest advantage shippers gain when shipping air cargo is speed, which can be as fast as same-day delivery. This mode of transportation offers the fastest shipping times, as well as reliable arrival and departure times.

IN CONCLUSION

Air transport facilitates integration into the global economy and provides vital connectivity on a national, regional, and international scale. It helps generate trade, promote tourism, and create employment opportunities. The World Bank has financed aviation-related projects for over sixty years.