Air freight transport: The fastest and most efficient solution

At an international level, air freight transport is the fastest and most efficient solution for the correct development of logistics operations. air cargo transportation by plane, apart from being one of the fastest, it is widely used in scheduled shipping flows in which it involves minimize the massive storage mass of merchandise and is produced only to make deliveries at the times when they are necessary, thus avoiding extra storage costs and saving time when looking for sites that adapt to the needs of our merchandise to store them until they are strictly necessary. This work model saves not only monetary costs, but also human and extends productivity timing with a prompt response to the client on how the transportation they want will be carried out.

Advantages of freight transportation

• Suitable for international freight traffic
• Wide coverage
• Transportation of high-cost products, parts, urgent goods…
• High volume large volume
• Easy access
• There are no physical barriers, That is, we can carry out the transportation in a single trip regardless of the origin and destination of the merchandise. (We will always take into account customs conditions to be able to carry out transportation successfully).

Nowadays, the trend in the transport of goods is changing and we must begin to take this type of transport into account, since it is beginning to grow. According to several AENA studies in 2015, the transport of goods by air was around 8.2% in terms of international transport. On the other hand, in 2019 the transport of air freight represented an increase in mobility, in just one year, of 58 million kilograms, thus rising to an approximate amount of 1,070 million kilograms.

Speed ​​and efficiency

Air freight transport in Europe stands out for its speed and efficiency, ideal for urgent or high-value shipments. With optimized operations and strategic routes, airlines guarantee deliveries in hours or days, overcoming the limitations of land or sea transportation, even over intercontinental distances.

Extensive international coverage

Air cargo transportation stands out for its extensive international coverage, allowing transportation companies to connect global markets quickly and efficiently. An air transport company facilitates international logistics, optimizing times and ensuring the delivery of goods to remote destinations with high safety standards. This service. It is ideal for urgent goods, guaranteeing safety and efficiency in global logistics, especially in transport to Europe.

Less handling and risk reduction

Air cargo transportation stands out for significantly reducing the handling of goods, since shipments are usually moved directly from the point of origin to the final destination. An air transport company implements rigorous security and packaging protocols, minimizing risks of damage, theft or loss. This approach ensures greater integrity and reliability in international logistics.

Ideal for urgent or high-value merchandise

Air transport is key for urgent or high-value goods, such as medical, electronic or perishable products, due to its speed and security controls. The transport companies air transport implement specialized protocols to guarantee optimal conditions, such as controlled temperature and safe handling, minimizing risks and ensuring efficient deliveries.

Types of air freight transport

They can be classified in two ways: general cargo transport and special cargo transport.

General Cargo Transportation

General cargo transportation includes standard goods such as parcels, commercial products and non-hazardous materials. In Europe, this service is highly efficient, with airlines and logistics operators using cargo planes and slots on passenger flights to maximize capacity and reduce costs.

General Cargo Transportation

This type covers goods that require specific conditions, such as perishable products, pharmaceuticals, dangerous or oversized cargo. In Europe, advanced technologies, such as refrigerated containers or specialized security systems, are used to ensure regulatory compliance and cargo integrity.

Load centers and their role in the transportation of goods

An airport is mainly divided into two areas: boarding of people or goods. Therefore, when an area of ​​the airport is dedicated to the embarkation or disembarkation of goods, it is important to mention the cargo terminals.

What is an air cargo center?

An air cargo center is created with the main objective of contributing to the development of industrial activities and logisticIt is usually made up of a set of platforms, docks and circuits for the merchandise to circulate. For example, the Valencia air cargo center according to an Aena article: "It has an area of ​​​​3.1 hectares on the first line, with warehouses for cargo handling and autohandling activities, and

"It has an area of ​​3.1 hectares on the first line, with warehouses for cargo handling and autohandling activities, and a second line area, of 2.8 hectares, with warehouses for freight forwarders and logistics operators. In addition, the Center has a Border Inspection Post (PIF) and a three-story general services building."

What is a handling agent? It is an agent external to the company that belongs to a private freight forwarding service entity. And an autohandling? It is an agent that belongs to the airline itself (the most used system in Spain). When transporting goods, the following elements intervene: Loading and unloading the plane in the check-in or check-out area Transportation of unloaded merchandise to the cargo storage a

• Loading and unloading the plane in the check-in or check-out area
• Transportation of unloaded merchandise to the cargo storage area of ​​the terminal
• Inspection, preparation and storage of merchandise for subsequent delivery.

Process of transporting goods in an airport

Physical flow in air cargo transportation

Documentation necessary for the transport of goods by air

The requirements to be able to transport the merchandise is the following:

• Formalization of the transport contract
• Shipping documentation: In this case, we refer to all the documentation necessary for customs clearance.
• Marking of of merchandise with identifiers of the importing company
• Well packed and packaged
• Individually labelled packages and with correct visibility.

Documentos esenciales

• Air Waybill (AWB): Main document that acts as a contract between the shipper and the airline, detailing the merchandise, origin, destination and conditions of transport.
• commercial invoice: Specifies the value, description and terms of sale of the merchandise, necessary for customs procedures.
• Certificate of Origin: Accredits the country of manufacture or origin of the cargo, required for tariffs and trade agreements.
• Dangerous Transport Document (IATA DGD): Mandatory for dangerous cargoes, complying with IATA and ADR regulations.
• Customs Declaration: Presented to the customs authorities for the clearance of the merchandise.
• Special Permits:: Necessary for restricted merchandise (e.g. pharmaceutical products, live animals or cultural goods).
• Packing List: It details the contents of each package, facilitating inspection and verification.

How to choose the best freight transportation service?

To choose the best service, evaluate the provider's experience on international routes, its ability to handle your type of cargo and flexibility in delivery times. Prioritizes companies with tracking technology, broad coverage and good practices in sustainability, key in current air transport in Europe.

Factors to Consider

Consider the capacity to handle special merchandise, real-time tracking technology and flexibility in the event of unforeseen events. Don’t hesitate to ask us!

Do you want to know the amount of your shipment in less than a minute?

Request your quote in less than a minute.