If you are considering transporting your goods via air freight in the near future, you might think that it is a fairly easy industry to understand. That, however, is not always the case and it is important to make sure that the approach you choose is suitable for the kind of freight that you have to get from A to B. Equator Worldwide are the experts you need to speak to, to get your freight moving.
Here we take a closer look at air freight practices and what it could mean for your business in choosing the right freight forwarding partner in the future.
Why Choose Air Freight?
It’s important to be clear about why you want to use air freight as it is, by far, the more expensive option compared to truck or sea transportation. The most common reasons for sending goods by this method are:
- You need to get your cargo to its destination in a short period of time, either as an urgent delivery to your client or customer or because the goods are perishable.
- You have a product that is costly to produce, and you want to reduce the risk of damage or loss during transit.
Types of Air Freight
There is more than one type of air freight that you need to be aware of.
The first is passenger cargo. This is fairly self-explanatory and means that the freight is included in the storage of a standard passenger jet. As you might expect, these have a limited space available, so the freight is generally limited to smaller items.
The second type of transportation is a specific cargo plane that is specifically used for carrying all kinds of freight from one airport to another. There are no passengers and the cargo is stored in the belly and throughout the main cargo bay.
The other type of air freight is a combination of the two which transports both passengers and heavier freight. The aircraft is divided into sections, half of which is for freight, half for passengers.
The Cost of Air Freight
Air freight is much more expensive to use than shipping by sea. Large container fleets on the ocean can carry huge amounts of cargo for many different customers and the cost may be as much as 20% of that charged for sending by air.
Air freight is also limited by the size, weight and the quantity of goods that can be transported during one flight.
Is Air Freight Right for Your Business?
If you need quick transportation because of an urgent order, air freight will get your goods to the right destination in a matter of days rather than weeks.
- Airfreight is generally charged on weight and not volume, so it suits smaller transportation needs but not larger ones.
- The potential for damage to your goods is also reduced and you should be reasonably confident that they will arrive safely on time.
- You also need to be sure that your goods meet current regulations for legal transportation in the country you are exporting to.
If you regularly transport abroad, however, air freight is going to be hugely expensive and the most cost-effective solution is either by sea or truck. It’s important to work with your freight forwarder to make sure that you are picking the right transportation for your needs and budget and the expert at Equator Worldwide will help your business move.