What is air freight: Meaning, benefits, and suitability

Need to ship high-value goods or meet tight deadlines? Air freight might well be your best solution. But how does it work? What can you ship via air? And is it the right choice for your business? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is air freight?

Air freight refers to transporting goods via aircraft, offering the fastest way to move cargo across long distances. Businesses rely on air freight for its speed, reliability, and global reach, making it essential for industries with time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable goods.

Unlike other shipping methods, air freight operates on strict schedules, ensuring faster transit times and reducing supply chain delays. While it is more expensive than ocean or land freight, the benefits of quick delivery and enhanced security often outweigh the cost for urgent shipments.

Air freight vs. air shipping: What’s the difference?

Air freight and air shipping essentially describe transporting goods by air. Though often interchangeable, there's a subtle difference:

• Air shipping: A broad term that refers to all goods transported by air, including passenger luggage, small parcels, and large cargo shipments.
• Air freight: A specific category within air shipping, referring to the commercial transportation of goods via dedicated cargo aircraft or freight services. It also encompasses logistics, costs, and regulations involved in air cargo transport.

In this article, we focus on air freight (also known as air cargo), but you may see the terms used interchangeably in relevant contexts.

Why do businesses choose air freight?

Compared to other transportation modes (sea, rail, or road), air freight is the fastest for long-distance transport, making it essential for time-sensitive shipments.

What types of cargo are transported by air?

The air freight market, with an expected projection exceeding 210 billion US dollars by 2027, fuels global trade by swiftly delivering critical goods. Some of the most common items are:

• E-commerce: Electronics, luxury items, and high-demand fashion.
• Manufacturing: Critical components for just-in-time inventory management.
• Humanitarian aid: Emergency supplies like medicines, food, and shelter materials.
• Perishables: Fresh produce, seafood, flowers, and other temperature-sensitive items.
• Pharmaceuticals: Drugs, vaccines, temperature-sensitive medicine products.

How air freight works: Step-by-step process

Though air freight transportation seems simple, every shipment goes through multiple stages:

1. Booking and planning: Confirm your shipment details, choose a carrier, and secure a shipping slot.
2. Preparing and packing: Package goods securely, prepare required documents, and ensure compliance with shipping regulations.
3. Collection and consolidation: Your cargo is picked up and combined with other shipments to optimise space and costs.
4. Customs clearance: Both import and export customs requirements must be met, including inspections and potential duties.
5. Air transport: The shipment is flown via a cargo plane or commercial aircraft, depending on size, weight, and urgency.
6. Arrival and final delivery: After customs clearance at the destination airport, the cargo is delivered to its final location.

Tip: You can book air freight online – here’s how

What is an air waybill?

When shipping by air, you need an air waybill (AWB). This legally binding document acts as a receipt for goods transported by air. It contains essential details for customs clearance, tracking, and terms and conditions for transportation.

You can use your AWB number to track your air shipment online.

Advantages and disadvantages of air freight shipping

Flying high: Benefits of shipping air freight

• Reduced transit time: Compared to ocean freight, air transport delivers faster, often within 24-48 hours. This can be crucial for time-sensitive items like highly perishable foods, certain pharmaceuticals, and high-value goods.
• Global reach: Air freight can reach almost anywhere with its extensive route network, facilitating global trade. This makes it ideal for businesses looking to access international markets quickly and efficiently.
• Lower damage risks: Air transport comes with a reduced risk of theft and damage due to strict regulations and faster transit.
• Improved inventory management: Faster deliveries ensure businesses maintain leaner inventory levels, supporting just-in-time inventories and reducing storage costs.

Flipping the wing: Considerations for air shipments

• High costs: Air freight is usually the most expensive transportation mode due to relatively high operating costs (linked to fuel costs, airport fees and regulations, specialised handling and maintenance, etc.).
• Cargo restrictions: Air freight is limited by size, weight, and hazardous cargo regulations. It is not suitable for transporting excessively large, bulky, or heavy shipments.
• Climate impact: Air freight has a much higher greenhouse gas emissions footprint than ocean freight, raising concerns about its climate impact.

When should you choose air freight? (Checklist)

Air freight offers unmatched speed but at a higher cost. Here’s a checklist to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your shipment:

• Time-sensitivity: Do you need your goods delivered within days rather than weeks?
• High-value cargo: Does the value of your goods justify the premium freight cost?
• Perishable or fragile goods: Is quick transit essential for preserving quality or preventing damage?
• Remote or inaccessible destinations: Is your shipment headed to areas not easily accessible by road or sea?
• Enhanced security needs: Does your cargo require strict handling and security protocols?
• Flexible budget: Do you have sufficient funds allocated for air freight costs?

If you’ve ticked off most of these points, air freight could be your ideal solution. That said, it’s always best to consult with your carrier or logistics service provider to assess your needs and get customised advice on the most efficient shipping option.

Whether you’re shipping high-value goods, time-critical cargo, or perishables, Maersk Air Freight offers speed, reach, and reliability. With access to key airports, end-to-end visibility, and tailored logistics support, we can help keep your supply chain flying smoothly. Connect with our specialists to explore the best options for your cargo.