Air Freight
Air Transportation
The logistics sector has different means of transport to ship goods. For long-distance cargo transport operations, air, sea and land transport are often used air transport and land transport are often used.
All means of transportation have a number of characteristics that are different from each other. In this article we will shed some light on the characteristics of air transport, how it works, its types, and why to choose this means of transport for the shipment of goods.
What is Air Transportation?
Air transport is that which transports by air, by means of aircrafts, airplanes, etc. Allows the movement of people, goods and mail.
Aircraft are the fastest means of transportation and therefore the most suitable for shipping products within the supply chain that require fast and agile delivery.
Air freight is used in most industrial sectors and supply chains. It is estimated that the trend in the use of this means of cargo transportation will continue to rise, and more flights will be used exclusively for the transport of goods.
Airfreight logistics covers all physical and documentary processes that are part of the life cycle of the airfreight forwarding process.
In Air transport:
In air transport, two types of users are identified that give rise to the shipping process:
• Charger
• Addressee
The type of shipper defines the demand for air transport service.
The selected company is in charge of the transport management to the airport facilities, and all the documents related to the transport service are prepared.
Once all the legal and customs formalities and requirements have been fulfilled, the air transport process will begin. The first step is the loading of the shipment to be sent to the requested destination.
Characteristics of air transportation
It is worth mentioning that air transport is the most recent mode of transportation. Obviously, technology in recent years has allowed air transport to make a leap in quality, making it a type of transport increasingly used by companies for export and import logistics.
It has a large base of regulations, laws and air traffic control, an important part of its management.
The main characteristics that define air transportation are the following:
• Faster transportation; The airplane is much faster than a car, truck, train or ship, making it the ideal transportation system for transporting goods in the shortest possible time.
• Ideal for accessing remote locations; In very distant or remote destinations, other types of transport are inefficient. Air transport has practically no limitations to reach any place.
• Security; According to statistical data, the airplane is the safest means of transportation. It is a very reliable method of transportation, where the goods arrive at their destination in perfect condition. Freight insurance premiums in air transport are generally lower than in land or sea transport.
• Shorter delivery times; One of its main features and advantages, there is no doubt that delivery times are much shorter than in other transportation alternatives.
In addition to all this, air transport has almost no interruptions in its services, it has no physical barriers as occurs in other modes of transport.
Types of air transportation
As with any means of transport, it is possible to develop different classifications and types of air transport.
In this case we can define the following classification to better understand its characteristics:
Load-bearing
Air cargo transportation is related to the exclusive shipment of goods. One of the most trending means of transport for logistics in recent years.
Of goods
Air transport is one of the most widely used modes of transport for import and export of goods. Facilitate fast delivery and receipt at destinations.
The speed of transport continues to be a key factor in the advancement of this type of transport for the shipment of goods.
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are all goods that can cause damage to health and the environment.
The transport of dangerous goods has a greater restriction: transport in packages, packaging restrictions or the maximum quantity varies.
There is extensive regulation and legislation on the transport of dangerous goods, as well as liability.
Air transport classification
Another way to classify air transport can be based on its destination, or the way in which the transport is performed, we give you more details about these classifications below:
Domestic and international flights
Domestic flights are those between two points within the same national territory.
Otherwise, international flights are between two points in different states.
Scheduled and non-scheduled flights
Another interesting classification is defined by the mode of transport.
Scheduled flights stand out for offering these characteristics: public and fixed schedule, as well as frequency, itinerary and price. Accessible at any time to any person. It is carried out between two or more different traffic zones.
Non-scheduled flights are those that are contracted on an as-needed basis.
Advantages and disadvantages of air transportation
Air transport is one of the most widely used, versatile and advantageous modes of transport compared to other transportation options. When we talk about air transportation we refer to the transportation service by means of aircrafts to move goods, passengers, etc. from one point to another…
Although the idea of air transport was initially linked to the transport of passengers, it has recently developed very effectively for the shipment of goods.
Within the logistics sector, air transport has been gaining ground and becoming one of the most demanded and used transport options.
In the transport of goods, a characteristic type of aircraft is used to achieve an efficient and safe transport service. They usually have several departments perfectly designed to be able to load goods in an optimal way to perform a first-class air transport service.
The qualities of air transport make it perfectly suited to the needs of all types of industries and companies. Although other means of transport have traditionally been used for some types of goods, air transport has been modified and improved to become increasingly versatile and efficient.
To understand the growth of air transport in the logistics sector, it is necessary to understand its advantages and disadvantages, which will show us the reasons why it is becoming one of the most demanded means of transport.
Advantages of air transportation
To understand the importance of air transport, its special characteristics must be taken into account. This overlooks a number of advantages that are very attractive and perfectly adapted to the specific needs of each company.
What are these advantages? Here are the important advantages of air transport :
• Fast delivery times ;
Undoubtedly, one of the most advantageous features offered by air transport is its speedy delivery times. There is no faster transport service than air transport. In addition, the frequency of flights makes delivery times very frequent and fast.
• No Physical Limits ;
Air transport is the only means of transportation that does not support physical limits. Road transport, for example, must undergo different physical constraints that slow down delivery times.
It is one of the means of transportation that offers practically no interruption in its services, which is very attractive for companies.
• Very reliable transportation ;
One of the great advantages of air transport for both passengers and goods is its great reliability.
Delays in delivery dates or loss of goods are options that can be very difficult to achieve with this means of transport.
• Long Distances ;
No other means of transport in the logistics sector can cover such long distances as air transport.
This is a great advantage for international trade, being able to cover long distances, impossible for road or sea transport.
Disadvantages of air transport
Although the advantages of air transport are very attractive and define a totally unbeatable type of service, it is also possible to define a series of disadvantages that should be analyzed to determine whether air transport is appropriate or whether it is preferable to consider other types of transport, such as sea transport.
• Higher Cost ;
There is no doubt that air transport is the least economical means of transportation compared to other types of transport. The cost of infrastructure, fuel… makes air transport economically superior to other alternatives.
It is important to know how to analyze and calculate the economic and logistical performance to know if it is the ideal option to be used.
• Less storage capacity ;
Storage capacity is lower than land and sea transport. This is a clear disadvantage, air transport is ideal for medium or low loads, but is not so attractive for large volumes of goods.
• Restrictions on goods ;
Air transport, due to its specific characteristics, cannot carry certain products or goods. It suffers from certain restrictions, especially in liquid products such as petroleum, oils, etc…
In which cases is air transport the best option?
After looking at the advantages and disadvantages of airfreight, you may have doubts about whether or not it is the best option for your company. If you’re wondering when air transport is the best option , here are some clues.
• Urgent shipments; For urgent shipments, air transport is the best possible option. In any situation of urgent need of goods, this means of transport is a more efficient solution.
• Difficult to access destinations; The airplane can reach areas that are very difficult to access and cannot be reached by other means of transportation.
• Perishable goods; For the transport of perishable goods, air transport is the safest and most efficient.