Transport is one of the most crucial aspects in international trade. For some shipments time is of the essence, and with the port congestion and resulting delays in sea freight, air freight can be a good solution. But air freight also has other attractive advantages.
Time is money
Air freight is without a doubt the fastest option for shipments around the globe, both for long distances and remote areas. Most air freight services have a network that spans the entire world and operate with regular daily departures. So even if your cargo is held up or the flight is cancelled, your shipment is likely to be onboard the next plane with minor or minimum delay in arrival. If the consignment is urgent, air freight is always the best option and can reduce transit times from weeks to days.
Regarding customer service, air transport is more transparent in terms of tracking. With the flight and shipment number, you should always have an accurate status of the shipment.
Better safe than sorry
In addition to being the fastest and most reliable form of transportation, it’s also the safest. Which is why it remains the preferred option for high-value consignments. Air freight requires fewer handling steps, and airport cargo security is strict, which means goods are usually cleared by customs within hours, making your shipment less likely to be damaged or stolen during transit.
High value, high price?
The prices for air freight tend to be higher compared to sea for example. However, if you need to transport low-volume goods, air freight can be a good alternative. Air transport rates depend on the chargeable weight of a shipment, which is based on the weight and volume. Large items with a light overall weight take up more space on an aircraft than a small, heavy item. And airlines benefit more from a healthy occupancy rate of the aircraft. For smaller shipments the margins between the prices for air and sea shipments become smaller and it might even be more profitable to ship by air. Especially if the timing or value is critical. If you consider the broader picture, air freight has other cost advantages. Compared to sea freight, air shipments have faster transit times which allow you to save on additional packing, warehousing and insurance premiums. Warehouses at seaports are often more costly than those near airports.
Environment
However, there’s also a dark cloud surrounding air freight. And that’s the impact on the environment. Regardless of the shipment, the environmental impact of air freight far outweighs that of sea freight, because CO2 emissions are much higher. So while there are many advantages to air shipments, we always discuss the environmental impact with the customers to determine the best possible approach that matches their requirements and preferences.
Hybrid solutions
Aviation is a fast-moving sector with strict rules and regulations. Because of the specific safety standards, air shipments require a lot of administration. Given our expertise in the consolidation of air cargo, we know exactly which documentation to provide to get the goods to their final destination on time and in perfect condition. In addition, we are also specialised in combining transport methods such as air, rail, road and even waterways to ensure the best possible solutions for our clients.
If you’re interested in shipping your goods by air, visit our website to find out about our personalised services.
