A Definitive Guide to Air Freight

Introduction

Under international trade, almost 90% of the cargo is transported by sea while 1% is by air. However, with the heavy demand for air freight for fast and reliable delivery of shipments, the percentage has risen for air cargo services. Air carriers pride themselves on short-time and swift delivery while moving urgent and time-sensitive cargo via air. 

Shipment through the air is generally complex as much as it sounds easy. It is due to the reason as the shipper needs to decide the way of sending the shipment, i.e., through air courier or air cargo. 

Under air cargo, a wide range of services is included which are offered by every freight forwarding company like Jay Kay Logistics. 

• Express is the fastest yet most expensive method of air cargo. It guarantees the earliest shipment, such as overnight or one day in exchange for a premium price. Also, it is one of the fastest-growing air cargo services which contributes immensely to the global market.
• Standard shipping service is usually common and the majority of people choose this for transporting their shipments. Under this, the shipment makes a stop at one or two airports either for transferring to another aircraft or another shipment that needs to be loaded or unloaded.
• Deferred service under air cargo services includes shipments that are not of high priority or do not need to be transported instantly. They are deferred until space is available on the aircraft and it is a cost-effective method as it involves a longer time of delivery and multiple stops. 
• Charter air cargo Delhi’s service includes chartering a plane in case of bulk cargo. It means if you want to ship a substantial quantity of cargo, a plane is chartered which offers the quickest but most expensive way to transport the shipment. 

Besides air cargo services, air courier consists of multiple delivery companies that tie up with freight forwarding companies in India to deliver the shipment of their clients. Air couriers such as FedEx, DHL, etc., pick up the packages from your place and ship them by air. If your shipment is small in quantity, it is best to ship through an air courier

Advantages of Air Freight Forwarding Services

Though air freight forwarding services are expensive, they provide multiple benefits in transporting goods due to their smooth flow of transfer. Some of the advantages provided by air freight services are-

Reliability

Airfreight services provide great reliability since these operate on strict rules and regulations. They have a proper schedule of delivery and transportation of shipments which ensure safe delivery. Moreover, they are highly reliable for timely cargo arrival and departure time.

Speed

If you are looking for fast shipment of your goods, air freight forwarding is the best way as it takes a maximum of 1-3 days by express delivery and 5-10 in another type of delivery. On the other hand, the customs clearance process takes less time in case of shipment through air services.

Security 

Airlines provide strict protocols for every shipment or cargo. They largely reduce the risks of theft or damage to the cargo by ensuring thorough check-ups of the shipments. 

Coverage

Larger distances can be covered by air services around the world in less time. Air cargo services are one of the reliable options to ship to and from landlocked countries. 

Disadvantages of Air Freight Forwarding Services

Environment

Airfreight services significantly impact the environment due to their carbon footprint. As it uses fuel in a larger quantity than sea freight, it causes environmental pollution by releasing gases and noise pollution. Therefore, it should be preferred in case of emergencies.

Cost

Air cargo is an expensive method of transporting shipment as compared to sea or road. They charge 10x more times than sea freight and also the cost depends on the weight and volume of your shipment. Therefore, it is a big no to those who want a cost-efficient shipment method. 

Conclusion

In a nutshell, air freight forwarding services are a suitable option where you want to deliver shipments on an emergency basis. Every type of shipment method is dependent on the nature of goods, cost, delivery time, etc. Therefore, choosing a delivery method can vary from person to person. 

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