What is Air Cargo?
Air cargo is also referred to as air freight. It essentially means the carriage or transportation of goods via air transport or a carrier. Air transport usually comprises air freight, air mail, and air express. There has been a rising demand for international shipping, which has made air freight valuable in the e-commerce industry.
Importance of Air Cargo in E-commerce Shipping and Delivery
Air cargo is the most effective and fastest mode of transport and has become a crucial part of the growing global economy by facilitating global trade. Here are some advantages of using air cargo –
- Air cargo offers the highest shipping speed making the shipment of goods convenient.
- With speed as an advantage, air cargo allows companies to deliver products on time and have reliable timelines.
- In air cargo, products have better shipment security than any other shipment mode. It is less exposed to theft and damage as strict safety measures are followed.
How Air Cargo Works and Its Prerequisites
Air freight is highly preferred due to its reliability, expedited delivery, and security. There are seven crucial steps that one needs to follow to send a shipment via air freight. They are:-
- Shipment registration and pickup
- Shipment confirmation and labeling
- Clearing customs at the place of origin
- Shipment storage and departure
- Cargo unloading
- Clearing customs at the destination
- Final delivery
Customers availing air freight will also be given an airway bill (AWB) which serves as a legal contract between the shipping company and shipper. The AWB needs to have the following details:-
- Name and address of the shipper
- Name and address of the consignee
- Airport of origin code
- Airport of destination code
- Detailed information about the cargo
- Special Instructions
Use Case With Air Cargo
Suppose a company sells mobiles and wishes to ship the order to the destination. In order to provide extra security, they opt to ship the products via air cargo. It provides additional security and delivers the products on time.