How Air Freight Works

Air freight is the process of transporting goods physically by air. This term is often confused with air cargo, which encompasses the entire process, including infrastructure, carriers, and logistical framework. Air freight is only concerned with the actual transportation process. In the current eCommerce scenario, the delivery time is crucial for the success of a business. It is where air freight comes in to decrease the delivery time considerably.

Speed of delivery is why businesses leverage air freight for time-sensitive products. Air freight uses different types of airlines, such as chartered flights, passenger planes, and cargo planes, to quickly deliver goods across the globe. Hence, it is no wonder that, valued at USD 257.44 billion by 2023, the global air freight market size is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.3% between 2024 and 2030.

Let us understand why air freight is important and how the process works.

Understanding Large-Scale Orders

In logistics, a large-scale order often refers to big box shipping, which incorporates shifting large quantities of goods using heavy boxes, oversized containers, or pallets across extensive distances by choosing the most efficient means of transportation. The modes of transport could be freight trains, cargo ships, and long-distance trucks.

Unlike standard shipping, which deals with smaller packages and individual boxes, big-box shipping concentrates on transporting large packages and bulk cargo. Segmented by size, dimensional weight, and volume, big box shipments usually require specialized equipment and transportation procedures.

Big box shipping enables you to transport large quantities of items in minimum shipments, thus making it more cost-effective than postal or courier services. Typical big-box shipments include large appliances, furniture, electronics, construction materials, and wholesale goods.

Purpose of Air Freight

One of the major advantages of air freight is its speed. It can deliver goods in a much shorter time than the other traditional means of product delivery. Another advantage is that you can use air freight to the remotest area of the world without much inconvenience. That reach and speed make air freight ideal for urgent and time-sensitive packages.

Air freight can adapt according to the package you want delivered. Depending on your requirements, it can deliver the smallest letters to the largest car. Air freight becomes the obvious choice for many product manufacturers when time is of the essence. That is why companies are ready to embrace the complex air freight process to get the product delivered to their customers on time.

Step 1: Booking and Pickup

The first step in the air freight process is to book the flight. It’s almost like booking a flight for yourself. You will have to select the carrier and provide them with the necessary details and documents. You must weigh the cargo you are shipping, which will determine the cost. Based on the quote, you can decide which air freight you will use to ship the goods. Once the shipment is booked, the carrier will pick up the product on the date and keep it in their warehouse till the flight date. Along with the product, you will have to provide all the necessary documents to ensure a smooth transition. The cargo undergoes several checks in the air terminal and is then clubbed with other products on the same flight.

Step 2: Getting Documents Right

Proper documents are critical to ensure the customs clearance process is seamless. The documents also ensure that you can track your cargo accurately. Among the documents you must have, the most crucial is the air waybill or AWB. It essentially acts as a contract between the carrier and the shipper. Other necessary documents include a customs permit, a certificate of origin, a packing list, and a commercial invoice. These documents clarify the entire shipping process and detail transactions between the carrier and the shipper. Correct documentation helps you ensure that you meet international product delivery standards. Another must-have document is a letter of credit clarifying the payment terms between the carrier and the shipper.

Step 3: Getting Customs and Other Security Clearance

After ensuring that you have proper documentation, the next step is at the terminal, where customs officials check your cargo individually. They ensure that your cargo content matches the documents that you provided. They also ensure that your cargo doesn’t contain any restricted or prohibited item in the country where you are delivering.

Another step in ensuring the quality of cargo is to inspect it and perform security screening. At the airport, all products undergo X-ray inspection and are physically examined to ensure safety. The reason for such multi-level security inspection is to ensure the safety and security of the national and international borders. Your logistics provider will ensure that your cargo passes these checks seamlessly and meets all safety and security standards.

Step 4: Loading Cargo

After all the security checks are performed, the next step is to load the cargo and prepare a manifest. Physically loading the cargo into an aircraft is a painstaking process. The cargo is arranged in Unit Load Devices or ULD, which are certain types of pellets and containers designed to maximize space utilization and simultaneously ensure safe transport. When loading these ULDs, they are weighed first and then put in place using mechanical loaders.

After loading the cargo, the next step is to make a detailed manifest describing all the items, their weight, and an associated tracking number. This manifest is crucial to ensure a seamless security and customs clearance process.

Step 5: Transporting Cargo by Air

After all the necessary documents are prepared and checked, all the customs and security clearances are done, and the cargo is loaded into the aircraft, the next step is to transport the cargo. The cargo can be on a direct flight to the destination or have intermediary stops depending on the optimum route and schedule. The cargo is monitored and tracked during each step of the air freight service. This monitoring and tracking also involves coordinating between multiple airports and terminals to ensure seamless cargo transport. The air freight service needs to keep its customers informed continuously. This regular communication shows clarity and establishes trust.

Step 6: Unloading Cargo and Customs Clearance

After the cargo arrives at the destination airport, it is methodically unloaded. Special care is taken so as not to damage the cargo content. The cargo is then taken to the relevant terminal and distributed according to the individual orders. A check is then done to ensure the order and product match. This process is called deconsolidation and is critical for customs clearance in the destination country. During customs clearance, the product is checked and compared with the manifest, ensuring that they match. After this, the duties and taxes are cleared, and this is where the correct documentation comes in handy. This entire process of multiple checking ensures that when the product reaches the customer, there is less chance of mismatch, return, and return shipping costs.

Step 7: Delivering Cargo

The final step in this process is to deliver the cargo and get proof of delivery. An experienced logistics provider usually handles product delivery by road or rail to the destination. They are usually responsible for ensuring the cargo is safely unloaded from its specialized container and delivered to the customer undamaged. They must ensure that the product is tracked and communicate with the customer regularly to ensure visibility.

Getting proof of delivery is also important for the shipper and the recipient as it is proof and acknowledgment that the cargo arrived at its destination undamaged. It can be an e-signed document with a digital signature, barcode, or paper copy, but its presence is crucial.

Conclusion:

Air freight is crucial for several businesses, including those that work with urgent and time-sensitive products. Choosing your air freight service and logistics provider carefully is important for a seamless experience. An experienced provider will be able to guide you through the entire process. They will ensure communication, visibility, and tracking at all times. Ensure that the provider meets your requirements. Do some research and get quotes from various providers before making a decision.

Contact XPDEL for all your air freight requirements and an overall seamless customer experience.

About XPDEL:

XPDEL is not just another 3PL provider but a growth enabler. We are a leading hi-tech Fulfillment and Logistics Services supporting direct-to-consumer (D2C) and business-to-business (B2B) supply chains. Our widespread network of Fulfillment centers across the globe enables us to handle nationwide delivery in the US efficiently. Data analytics is at the heart of our 3PL services, powered by advanced technology and led by industry experts.