Global Air Freight Solutions: Fast, Reliable & Customized
From Door-to-Door Delivery to Customs Clearance – We Simplify Your Air Cargo Needs
What is air freight?
Air freight refers to the transportation of goods by aircraft. It is commonly used in global trade and international logistics due to its speed and efficiency. This method is ideal for time-sensitive shipments, high-value items, perishable products, and other goods that demand rapid delivery. With the ability to connect countries and regions across the globe, air freight remains one of the fastest and most dependable forms of international cargo transport.
International air transport process
Cargo Preparation: Once the goods are ready, the shipper must prepare the necessary documentation, such as the invoice, packing list, and transport insurance.
Airline and Flight Selection: The shipper or freight forwarder chooses a suitable airline and flight based on the shipment’s needs.
Cargo Handover: The goods are handed over to the freight forwarder or airline, where they undergo packaging, inspection, and customs clearance procedures.
Air Transportation: The cargo is then loaded onto the aircraft and transported to the destination country.
Customs Clearance at Destination: Upon arrival, the shipment must go through customs clearance procedures in the destination country.
Final Delivery: After clearance, the goods are delivered by ground transportation to the final delivery address.
What is the transit time for air freight?
Air freight is the quickest method of transporting goods, typically requiring 1 to 7 days depending on the shipping distance and destination. Domestic shipments by air usually arrive within 1–2 days, while international air freight takes about 3–7 days. It is commonly chosen for urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive cargo. However, transit time can be influenced by various factors such as weather conditions, airline schedules, and potential flight delays. So, although air freight offers great speed, unforeseen delays can still occur.
When opting for air freight, it’s important to also consider the shipment’s size, weight, and cost—not just the delivery time. While air transport provides unmatched speed, it is generally more expensive compared to other options like sea or rail freight. Therefore, if speed is the top priority, air freight is ideal. But for budget-conscious shipments, alternative transport modes might be more economical.
How are air freight costs calculated?
Air freight charges are generally determined by several key factors:
Cargo Weight: Rates are based on either the actual weight or the volumetric (dimensional) weight of the shipment, whichever is greater. Volumetric weight is calculated using the formula: volume (in cubic meters) × 167 = volumetric weight (in kilograms).
Origin and Destination: The cost is influenced by the shipping route, including the distance between the departure and arrival locations, as well as the complexity of the route.
Airline and Service Type: The choice of airline and the type of service (such as express or standard shipping) will impact the final cost.
Insurance: If cargo insurance is selected, it will add to the total shipping cost.
Additional Charges: Other fees may apply, such as fuel surcharges, insurance premiums, charges for overweight items, customs clearance fees, and more.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Freight
Advantages
High-Speed Delivery: The primary advantage of air freight is its fast transportation speed. Aircraft typically travel at 500–1000 kilometers per hour, significantly reducing delivery times compared to sea or land transport. For highly time-sensitive shipments—such as fresh produce, urgent documents, or electronics—air freight ensures quick delivery to meet pressing customer demands.
Enhanced Safety: Air transport is considered highly secure. Airlines follow strict procedures and standards throughout the entire logistics process—from pickup and handling to loading, flight, and final delivery. Flights are generally stable and less prone to disruption, minimizing the risk of damage or loss during transit.
Low Risk of Damage: Goods transported by air are typically well-packaged and stored in specially designed cargo compartments. Conditions within the aircraft—such as temperature and humidity—are better controlled. Professional handling equipment and standardized procedures also reduce the frequency of cargo handling, lowering the likelihood of damage.
Disadvantages
High Costs: One major drawback of air freight is its high cost. The expenses of aircraft maintenance, fuel, and crew are distributed across shipments, making this method more expensive. For bulky, heavy, or low-value items, the cost may outweigh the benefit, adding to business expenses.
Limited Capacity: Aircraft have constraints on both weight and volume. Unlike ocean vessels or trains, planes can only carry a limited amount of cargo. This makes air freight unsuitable for large-scale or oversized shipments, such as heavy equipment or bulk raw materials.
Weather-Related Disruptions: Although air travel is generally stable, extreme weather—like heavy rain, snow, fog, or strong winds—can lead to flight delays or cancellations. These disruptions can severely affect time-critical shipments and may result in financial losses.
Complex Procedures: Air cargo shipments must go through several formal steps, including declarations, security screenings, and customs clearance. These processes require expertise and can be time-consuming. If not managed correctly, they may delay shipment and affect delivery schedules.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Air Freight
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
As one of the world’s busiest international air cargo hubs, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is known for its large-scale cargo handling capabilities. It offers advanced logistics facilities and equipment, ensuring efficient processing of high cargo volumes. PVG plays a vital role in global supply chains due to its operational efficiency and broad logistics network.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Hong Kong International Airport is a major global freight hub, linking China with international markets. Its modern cargo infrastructure includes major terminals like Asia Airfreight Terminal and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited. Thanks to its strategic location and free port status, HKG remains a top choice for international air logistics.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB)
Ningbo Lishe International Airport supports the region’s strong industrial base with its well-equipped cargo handling and storage facilities. Its modern logistics infrastructure enables smooth processing of both domestic and international shipments, making it a key transport hub for goods from surrounding manufacturing areas.
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport is a major air cargo center in Southern China, featuring a high-tech cargo terminal and automation systems. It provides comprehensive logistics solutions and strong global connectivity, making it well-suited for meeting the region’s high air freight demand.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a central freight gateway in Southern China. It operates advanced cargo terminals and logistics facilities that support both domestic and international shipping. The airport’s efficient systems and vast network make it a core player in China’s air freight sector.
Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
Located in the industrial heart of Shandong Province, Qingdao Liuting International Airport handles significant cargo volumes. Its strategic location and well-developed cargo services ensure fast and reliable movement of goods for importers and exporters in the region.
Tianjin Cargo Airport (TSN)
Tianjin Cargo Airport, home to Cargolux’s headquarters, offers extensive warehousing and specialized cargo handling systems. Its close proximity to Tianjin Port supports integrated transport solutions, making it an important logistics hub with efficient multimodal connectivity.
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG)
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport is a vital freight gateway for Western China. With advanced cargo infrastructure and efficient logistics facilities, it plays a key role in supporting trade and economic development across the region.
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
As the primary airport in the nation’s capital, Beijing Capital International Airport is a cornerstone of China’s air cargo network. Its expansive freight handling facilities and strategic position help facilitate both domestic and global cargo movements, making it essential to international logistics operations.
Goods suitable for air freight
Air transportation serves as the optimal solution for premium and time-critical shipments across key industries:
Fashion Industry – Accelerate product cycles by responding quickly to seasonal trends and consumer preferences.
Healthcare Sector – Guarantee temperature-controlled transit for vital medical supplies with strict delivery timelines.
Technology Equipment – Provide tamper-proof transportation for sensitive electronic devices and components.
4 Cultural Assets – Implement specialized handling protocols for valuable collectibles and delicate artistic creations.
Temperature-Sensitive Goods – Preserve product integrity for chilled foods, botanical specimens, and biochemical materials through expedited delivery.
Emergency Logistics – Facilitate time-bound transportation for mission-critical industrial components and urgent documentation.
Heavy-Lift Capabilities: Hong Ocean Group provides customized charter solutions for mega-cargo, deploying strategic air assets including the world’s largest cargo aircraft (Antonov An-225 Mriya) for extraordinary dimensional requirements.
Air freight rates and costs
Air freight charges are typically determined by comparing the actual weight of the shipment to its dimensional weight, with the higher value used for pricing. Dimensional weight is calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of the cargo to find its volume, then dividing by a conversion factor (e.g., 6,000 cubic centimeters per kilogram). If the dimensional weight is greater than the actual weight, the carrier will base the freight cost on the dimensional weight. For instance, a shipment measuring 50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm has a volume of 125,000 cubic centimeters, resulting in a dimensional weight of 21 kg (125,000 ÷ 6,000). At a rate of $2.25 per kilogram, the air freight cost would be $47.25.
Air freight providers may employ various pricing structures, such as weight-based, volume-based, spot, tiered, or contract pricing. Additional fees, including fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal handling charges, and airport transfers, may also contribute to the total cost. For door-to-door services, costs may cover customs clearance, pick-up and delivery, and cargo insurance. Shippers should evaluate all pricing models and associated fees to choose the most cost-effective and suitable air freight option.
