Today, we want to talk to you about air freight transport. In this article, we identify the advantages this mode offers, explain when to use it for transporting goods, and help you understand what to consider when quoting air freight.

Embark on this reading!

What are the advantages of air freight transport?

Air freight transport is done by chartering space on airplanes. It is an agile, reliable mode with shorter transit times.

Below, you can better understand what we are talking about.

Agility

The air mode is recognized as the most agile in cargo transport compared to other modes. It facilitates access even to distant destinations that do not have maritime transport and also for urgent export and import shipments.

Safety and Reliability

Air freight transport allows for less exposure time of goods in warehouses, limiting cargo handling and reducing the risk of theft, loss, or damage. Additionally, some cargoes, such as electronics and fragile items, are not exposed to weather conditions.

Frequency and Timeliness in Deliveries

The transit time for goods in the air mode is shorter compared to maritime transport. For example, an export to Germany that might take 15 days by ship takes hours by air. Moreover, it has a higher frequency of departures, providing more flexibility for those who need to use the service. In other words, it shortens distances and facilitates meeting delivery deadlines.

Good Relationship with Exporter/Importer

The shorter delivery time, greater route coverage, and higher frequency of air service provide a positive experience and increase the satisfaction of the exporter or importer.

Read also:

• International Logistics: How to Optimize Shipping
• LCL and FCL: Which Difference and Which to Choose
• 5 Tips to Improve Your Company's Freight Transport Management

What types of cargo are transported by air?

Before mapping which cargoes can be transported by air, it is important to emphasize the importance of always consulting your freight forwarder before opting for this service.

Support prevents incompatibility in the shipment of goods, as well as extra storage costs while a shipment is adjusted to the limitations of the airline or aircraft.

That said, the cargoes commonly transported by air mode are:

• Perishable goods or other goods that can deteriorate quickly;

• Refrigerated cargoes, such as medications, frozen or refrigerated foods, among other items, for short-term use;

• Vaccines, medical equipment and supplies, and organs for transplant;

• Live animals, whether wild, farmed, or domestic;

• Human remains - coffin with a corpse (caskets);

• General dry cargo, such as non-hazardous electronics, machine parts and components, and also non-perishable foods;

• Valuable cargo, such as precious stones, metals, relics, and other valuable artifacts, as well as high-tech equipment and components.

Restricted Cargo

These are goods that also require agility in delivery and extreme security in transport, such as chemicals, explosives, flammable materials, and radioactive isotopes.

In this case, the company needs authorization from the airline and must meet the requirements of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as they require specific packaging and storage.

Priority of Cargo in Air Transport

In order of importance, air transport establishes the following priority for transporting such cargoes. Thus, in addition to passengers and their luggage, the following cargoes are prioritized:

• Food - due to packaging and security with minimal handling and modal changes

• Medication - also due to packaging and security with minimal handling and modal changes

• Live animals - due to the speed of transport, which prevents stress and even death of the animal during the journey.

• Casket (coffin with corpse) - due to the speed and urgency of delivery

• Perishable - also due to the speed and urgency of delivery

• Dry Cargo - general cargo that does not fit into the above categories.

Care and Attention in Air Transport

There are some specific requirements for adapting the shipment of goods in air transport. They are:

Perishable Cargo

These are cargoes that require care with temperature maintenance. This specificity must be shared by the exporter and observed throughout the shipping process, from storage to pick-up at the destination airport.Airlines offer differentiated rates for transporting this type of cargo.

Additionally, the deadline is shorter than that of dry cargo. Thus, it can be delivered on the same day to the airline, depending on the flight schedule.

Dangerous Goods (DG)

Dangerous goods are cargoes that pose some risk to health, safety, property, or the environment.They require care in storage and transport, so the following documents are required:

• MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) and/or FISPQ.

• Shipper’s Declaration (not mandatory for quoting, but required for shipment)

Information on Cargo Volume

Another essential care in air transport is the information about the dimensions of each package. If the company provides incorrect data in this regard, the following problems may occur:

• The airline may reject the cargo;

• The cargo will not ship at the initially calculated rate;

• The cargo will remain stored at the airport longer, generating more cost for the exporter;

• There will be new costs for proper packaging of the goods;

• The freight will be altered, especially if switching to another airline;

• If switching companies, in addition to freight, there will be labeling costs;

• The delay may result in contractual penalties for the client.

Understanding What is Needed for Air Freight Quotation

Air freight quotation is conducted by simulation among airlines. They provide the desired route, which meets the delivery deadline and other cargo transportation needs.

With this information, the values are determined according to the size and type of goods to be transported.In general terms, the freight value considers some variables that differ from one product to another.

They should be evaluated as follows:

• Origin Airport / Destination Airport - calculate the distance between them and the urgency of arrival from one point to another;

• Incoterms - it is the purchase and sale agreement between importer and exporter that defines the responsibilities in shipping;

• Number of packages / gross weight / dimensions of each package - correct indication in meters, centimeters, kilograms, etc.;

• Cargo description - understand exactly what is being transported.

Volume Calculation

If the cargo has 3 packages with equal dimensions, these values will be multiplied by each other and by the number of packages.

The result is divided by a coefficient defined by IATA, which is equivalent to 0.006.

Thus, the taxable weight will be the result of this division.

For example, if each package measures 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.30 meters. The calculation will be:2.5 x 1.8 x 1.3 = 5.85 x 3 = 17.55 / 0.006 = 2925 kg.

It is important to note that to calculate the correct freight charge, it is essential to identify the type of cargo transported, its weight and size, as well as the delivery deadline.

Note: the weight considered for calculating air freight and rates per kg will always be the greater result between the gross weight of the cargo x taxable weight.

Most Common Aircraft in Air Freight Transport

Hold on, our article is not over yet! We still have more information about the world of air freight transport. This time, about the aircraft most used for this service.They are classified according to the type of transport they perform.

Let's get to know them better below!

Passenger (PAX)

This type of aircraft carries passengers and goods. They are planes with a smaller capacity than cargo-only aircraft. It can lower freight costs if there is high demand.

Freighters – Cargo Aircraft Only (CAO)

These are cargo-type aircraft, used exclusively for cargo transport. They are ideal for very large or highly hazardous goods.

Some DG (Dangerous Goods) cargoes, for example, are only accepted in cargo aircraft transport.

In Summary

We have seen that air is an important mode of transport for both export and import, especially for long-distance transport and short delivery times.

The freight cost may be higher compared to other modes such as maritime or road, but such cost is justified mainly by the availability and agility of the service.

Moreover, as we have observed, it is a very safe transport mode, as it has fewer stops and less handling of goods.If the intention is to transport perishable or high-cost products, the airplane is also the most recommended due to the safety and reliability presented in the forms of shipment and storage.

However, information about the product must be provided accurately when requesting costs/quotation.

Any error can result in shipment delay or even non-shipment.Soon, we will bring a special article to discuss the topic, stay tuned!Anyway, to avoid mistakes in these many and essential details, rely on support from professionals like freight forwarders.

They will evaluate and correctly assist in choosing the ideal type of transport for your cargo and delivery needs.

Until the next article!