Air freight shipping

Air freight shipping

Air cargo shipping is an international transportation method in which cargo is sent from the origin to the destination through cargo planes. This method is used to ship goods that need to be delivered quickly, often light and expensive goods, or goods that for special reasons must be transported in a controlled environment (such as some food or medicine).

Due to the high speed of air cargo transportation, this method is often used for urgent and scheduled cargoes. But the cost of sending air cargo is usually much higher than other methods of transportation. Therefore, this method is generally used for loads that do not need the most economical method of transportation, such as expensive goods, perishable products, or for cases where delivery time is very important.

For air cargo shipping, you should contact the air freight companies or air freight forwarders and consult with them about the details of your shipment. These companies use cargo planes to send air cargo, which use different airports to transport goods to their destination.

Advantages of air cargo shipping

Sending air cargo is very important due to its high speed and efficiency, the ability to carry sensitive and fragile goods, the ability to carry heavy and large goods, as well as more convenient and optimal ways of transportation. In the following, some of these benefits and importance will be discussed in more detail:

Speed of transportation: Airplanes can transfer cargo from origin to destination in a very short period of time. This feature makes airfreight a superior choice for urgent shipments.
Reduction of waiting time and storage: Due to the high speed of air cargo transportation, the need for storage for a long period of time is reduced, which can reduce costs related to storage.
More security: Airports usually have very strong security systems, so air cargo is often a good choice for sending valuable or sensitive goods, such as medicines and perishable food.
Worldwide delivery: An extensive air transportation network makes it possible to ship cargo to almost anywhere in the world. For many countries and cities, air transportation is the only effective way to send or receive cargo in a short time.
Precise control over delivery time: Due to the speed of air transportation, cargo delivery time can be predicted more accurately, which can be very useful for supply chain planning.

However, note that air freight is usually more expensive than other shipping methods and may not be suitable for all types of cargo.

Types of air cargo

Air cargo transportation is divided into several types, some of which are:

Commercial cargo transportation: In this type of cargo transportation, commercial cargo is transported by air cargo transportation companies using cargo planes.
Passenger cargo transportation: In this type of cargo transportation, commercial cargo is transported on passenger flights whose route and departure date match the needs of customers.
Postal cargo transportation: In this type of cargo transportation, small and light cargo such as letters, postal packages, and documents are transported using postal airplanes.
Fast cargo transportation: In this type of cargo transportation, important and urgent cargo such as medical products, electronic products, and portfolios are transported using dedicated planes for fast cargo transportation.
Dangerous cargo transportation: In this type of cargo transportation, cargo that requires special conditions such as specific temperature, pressure, and humidity to be transported, such as chemicals, radiation, etc., are transported using special planes.

Each of these types of cargo transportation is associated with certain restrictions such as the allowed weight for each package, the number of packages that can be transported, and specific conditions of cargo transportation.

Commercial cargo transportation by air

Commercial cargo transportation by air means sending commercial cargo using cargo planes. This type of transportation is the only optimal solution for loads that require high speed and security and for some destinations, such as the most remote parts of the world. Also, cargo that needs to protect high values such as jewelry, art objects and advanced technologies are also transported by air.

Commercial cargo transportation by air has advantages such as speed, accuracy, security, traceability, and meteorological control. Cargo planes are able to carry heavy, large loads or those with large dimensions, which can reach the destination faster than the loads that are transported by road and sea. Also, this type of transportation is considered as one of the low-consumption and low-pollution methods, and efforts are being made to optimize the efficiency of this method in reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in the commercial cargo transportation industry by air.

How much is the price of air freight and how is it calculated?

The price of air freight depends on many factors, including weight, volume, destination, origin, type of cargo and selected services.

In air cargo transportation, to calculate the price, a cost called “basic cost” is calculated based on the weight of the cargo (in kilograms) and its volume (in cubic meters). Further, according to the type of cargo, additional services such as packaging, insurance, unloading, loading, tax payment, and issues related to customs and legal matters are considered.

It should also be noted that the price of air freight varies between airlines and depending on the policy of each company, there may be significant differences in prices.

Finally, to accurately calculate the price of air freight, it is better to contact the air transport companies and discuss the required details with them.

Disadvantages of air cargo

Air cargo transportation, despite its many advantages, also has disadvantages, some of which are mentioned below:

High cost: Air freight is high cost and is a more expensive option compared to other shipping methods such as land or sea freight.
Weight limit: Airlines usually set a weight limit for the packages they send. As a result, if a package is overweight, an additional fee must be paid.
Volume Limits: Airlines also set volume limits for packages, and packages that are too large may face problems.
Restrictions on the carriage of some packages: Air transport companies do not consider some packages to be carried on their flights due to security reasons or because of the risk. For example, dangerous substances, chemicals, etc.
Possible risks: due to the long distance and flight conditions, air cargo transportation leads to risks such as air accidents, missing packages, delivery delays, etc.
Customs Delays: Sending air cargo through customs checkpoints may result in additional delays for package delivery.

Air cargo delivery services from Europe to Iran and vice versa

As one of the most reliable international transport companies, Arles offers air freight services from Europe to Iran and vice versa with the highest quality and the lowest cost. Arel Company, in cooperation with major international air transport companies, provides air cargo delivery services to the whole world using the equipped cargo space in high-flying planes.

This company, with long experience in the field of international transportation, has the ability to send any type of package. including unbreakable goods, dangerous goods, sensitive goods and many others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum and maximum weight of cargo that can be sent by air freight?

The minimum and maximum weight of cargo sent by air freight may vary due to the policies and rules of each airline. In most cases, airlines use larger planes to carry heavier cargo.

In general, in most airlines, the minimum weight of cargo to be sent by cargo plane is usually around 45 kg, and the maximum weight of cargo is usually around 100 to 150 tons. But it is possible to send loads with less or more weight according to specific conditions and requirements.

Also, some airlines, depending on the type of cargo and the destination, use aircraft that are specifically designed to carry specific cargo, in which case the maximum and minimum weight of the cargo may be different. Therefore, in order to send cargo by air freight, it is better to contact the desired airline company and talk about the weight of the cargo and how to transport it by plane.

What documents are required for sending air cargo?

For sending international air cargo, in addition to proper packaging and labeling, the following documents are required:

Export license: If your package is to be sent to another country, you must first obtain an export permit from the relevant authority.
Purchase Invoice: For shipping commercial cargo, the purchase invoice must be provided to the shipping company in electronic or even printed form.
Customs documents: To send cargo to foreign countries, customs documents such as customs declaration and bill of lading must be prepared and submitted.
Health certificate: For some packages, such as food and pharmaceutical products, a health certificate is obtained from the relevant authority.
Certificate of Authenticity: In case of sending valuable goods such as jewelry and art objects, the certificate of authenticity must be provided to the shipping company.
Special license: To send some dangerous goods such as chemicals and batteries, a special permit is required from the relevant authorities.

In some cases, other documents may be required for sending air cargo, it is better to contact your shipping company in this regard.

Does the size and weight of the package affect the shipment by air freight?

Yes, package dimensions and weight can affect shipping by air freight. In fact, cargo planes typically have limitations in height, length, and width. Therefore, if your package is larger than these limits, you may not be able to ship it by airfreight.

Also, pack weight can have an effect. Each plane has a specific cargo carrying capacity, and if your package weighs more than this capacity, you may not be able to send your package by air freight or you may have to pay additional fees. Therefore, it is important to carefully measure the weight and dimensions of your package and contact the shipping company for advice on the appropriate method of shipping your package.

Are the packages transported by air cargo insurable?

Yes, packages shipped by air freight can be insured. In fact, cargo insurance is one of the important services that air cargo companies provide. Cargo insurance is very important to keep your cargo safe and secure. Also, if your cargo experiences problems during transportation, such as loss or damage, insurers relieve you of the responsibility of determining and experiencing the risks. For this reason, it is recommended that all packages sent by air cargo be insured.