Advantages of Air Freight: A Speedy Service

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Advantages of Air Freight
There are so many options for transporting freight. However, only one option can get your freight to any point in the world in hours. Air freight is a service ready to move your freight at high speeds!
By  USA Freight Forwarding Services
Published Date:October 28, 2022

There are distinct advantages of air freight that sets the service head and shoulders above the competition. This service is about leading the freight shipping industry in speed and security.

Advantages of air freight shipping stem from air travel technology and mandates set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The IATA regulations ensure that air freight services remain reliable, safe, fast, and secure. Air freight forwarders are specialized in the movement of air freight anywhere worldwide.

Freight forwarders specialize in securing air freight for their customers every day. The article below explains the benefits of using this speedy service.

Advantages of Air Freight

Advantages of Air Freight

With so many options for moving freight worldwide, a shipper’s priorities are an essential factor. Does the shipment require a more cost-effective solution where the delivery time is not a factor? Or does the shipment require more space so that the entire shipment can be sent all at once?

These questions pose a clear and distinct proposition when selecting the best form of transportation for your freight. Every situation is different, and each situation has its pros and cons. 

Here is a sample of the various services and advantages of air freight over other shipping methods in the freight transportation industry:

  1. Tracking: One of the many bonuses of air freight shipping is the ability to track the shipment in real time. The status, delivery time, and pinpoint location of the shipment is available through apps or web-based tracking.
  1. Areas of Service: Air freight transportation’s broad reach is impressive. The movement of goods through air freight transportation can happen virtually anywhere there is a runway.
  1. Speed: The main benefit of air freight rests in its speed. The ability to move goods worldwide in a matter of hours is truly remarkable. The speed of this service rivals that of truckload and ocean freight shipping.
  1. Reliability: Through fast deliveries, secure processing, and handling, air freight services make for the single most reliable form of shipping in the world. Less cargo handling is another critical factor for goods arriving safely to their destinations.
  1. Security: When air freight arrives and is processed through cargo terminals, there is a heavy amount of security, processing, and monitoring. This level of security ensures that all air freight is safe and free from theft.
  1. Reduced Premiums: The reduction in insurance premiums directly results from the amount of time it takes for freight to be shipped. Since the time frame of an air freight delivery is so short, premium charges are far cheaper than other Transport options.
  1. Reduced Storage: Shipments take only hours instead of days or weeks with air freight services. The processing of air freight and its overall transit time account for speed and negate the need for extensive warehouse storage.

When shipping goods internationally, the shipments need the appropriate transportation mode. In this instance, you are looking for the fastest available solution for shipping freight. That option is clearly air freight.

However, it’s not just speed that influences the need for air freight, but also when you have a smaller volume of freight with a higher-than-average value. For example, air freight transportation is ideal for high-value electronics, jewelry, and rare animals as an example.

Other areas of benefit include shipping perishable commodities, such as frozen foods.

Never try and figure out things on your own when shipping internationally. Our dedicated team of industry experts is standing by to help answer any questions you might have when considering the benefits of air freight and whether or not it’s the right fit for your business.

Air Freight vs Ocean Freight

When discussing the differences between air freight vs ocean freight, the main difference is capacity. The total carried volume of freight is night and day different when considering the amount of available space in an airplane vs an ocean vessel.

The amount of space available on an ocean transport vessel is gargantuan compared to an airplane. Also, the way freight is shipped is also different. Ocean vessels carry shipping containers in the 20ft and 40ft variety.

Air freight, on the other hand, does not carry shipping containers. Instead, freight is palletized. This means that freight is either boxed or stacked on pallets and shrink-wrapped to ensure that nothing is loose and can be destroyed.

Another critical factor to consider when comparing air freight vs sea freight is the time it takes for freight to travel long distances. Air freight is designed for speed, whereas ocean freight is designed for large loads with no time sensitivity.

When shipping goods internationally, it’s important negotiate with importers. With freight forwarding Incoterms®, you’ll be able to pick terms that are favorable to you and your buyer.

Disadvantages of Air Freight

Air Freight being loaded

When considering the advantages and disadvantages of air freight services, the benefits definitely outweigh the negatives. However, it doesn’t go without saying that air freight shipping has some distinct drawbacks.

The nature of air travel comes with its own rules that are unique to the service. These rules primarily have to do with limitations and safety. There are two categories that are critical to the safety of this mode of transportation.

  1. Capacity: The Achilles heel for air transport services is the amount of space available when shipping by air compared to ocean freight. Overloading is prohibited as it could lead to an accident.
  1. Hazards: Due to the volatile nature of hazardous materials, high altitudes, and confined spaces, freight transported by air is susceptible to multiple dangers if not loaded and appropriately vetted.
  1. High Costs: Air freight services are expensive, and the cost to maintain the service is high. Categories such as fuel, maintenance, hangars, staffing, etc. All make for a potentially expensive shipping method.

Now don’t let these topics of potential disadvantage detur you. Freight forwarders have the ability to negotiate on your behalf through their elaborate network of partnerships to get you the best deals and bookings in freight transportation.

Freight forwarders really offer the most significant advantage when shipping by air. They can get you the best rates and offer peace of mind by handling your shipment from start to finish. Freight forwarders are the best option for any shipper looking to take their freight to the skies.

Air Logistics Services

Air freight flying over a port

Air logistics services, known as air freight services, is a growing mode of transportation in international shipping and trade. The flexibility of this service is matched by its innate ability to move your goods anywhere in the world with speed and security.

Freight forwarders are the perfect intermediary to set up and secure this mode of transportation services for your freight due to their knowledge, experience, and vast network of partners. Compliance with The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is mandated for air freight services.

The IATA maintains global air travel, air cargo, and air freight services standards. The standards upheld by the IATA ensure that your freight is shipped with minimal risk and the best possible attention to detail. This level of compliance is responsible for the annual market growth of the service.

Air Freight Market Growth 2019 – 2021

Region20192021
North America12.1%20.5%
Latin America-13.4%-2.9%
Europe-0.4%6.0%
Asia5.4%8.8%
Middle East3.7%5.7%
Africa1.0%7.6%
Source: iata.org

As you can see, the market shares for air freight shipping are expanding by leaps and bounds. This shipping method has really taken hold over the years and is now a common option for long-distance supply chains or another option instead of traditional sea freight.

While air freight rates can be pricey, goods transported by air are one of the most reliable and safest modes of transportation. When considering the transportation of your goods, shipping by air is the most dependable solution with the fastest turnaround time.

To learn more about air shipping, read our article on the statistics of this shipper.

Benefits of Freight Transportation

Air Freight Cargo Hold

The benefits of freight transportation are really quite incredible. Freight movement can be done in several ways, such as truckload, rail, barge, vessel, and air. The timeframe of deliveries can vary through optional modes of transportation as well, like using aircraft over vessels.

Freight transportation services also bring with it some of the latest and greatest technologies in the logistics industry. These technologies include the following:

  • Real-time tracking applications
  • Real-time analytics
  • Freight management software
  • Online documentation viewing
  • Collaboration through partnerships

The freight shipping industry is one that flexes its muscles by using any means necessary to ship goods safely and securely in a timeframe that suits your needs. Fortunately, multiple options are available, especially time-sensitive ones like air freight.

As technology advances the logistics industry, customers like you stand to benefit. When managing the transportation of goods for your business or supply chain, a freight forwarding specialist can facilitate any of your freight shipping needs with the latest technologies.

Dominate the Skies With Air Freight Today!

The air freight transportation industry might seem complicated. With the help of our friendly and knowledgeable USA Freight Forwarding Services staff, you can see the advantages that air freight brings.

When it comes to your freight, trust the professionals. Our service will ensure that your freight is handled with the greatest care and that all your needs are met every time. Our unmatched white glove service is the industry standard in freight shipping.

No matter what type of freight you’re shipping, we can offer the following services:

Want to know more? Have questions that you need answered? Call us at (866) 941-8081 or click here for more information on the absolute best freight forwarding services.

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