Definition
The transport of goods by aircraft — fast and reliable, but the most expensive mode per kilogram.
Air freight carries cargo by aircraft, either in the belly hold of passenger flights or on dedicated freighters. It offers the shortest transit times and high schedule reliability, making it the choice for urgent, perishable, or high-value goods.
It is priced on chargeable weight — the greater of actual and volumetric weight — so density drives cost heavily. The governing document is the air waybill, and security screening and handling requirements are stricter than for ocean.
Related terms
Ocean Freight
The transport of goods by sea, the dominant mode for high-volume international trade.
Air Waybill (AWB)
The non-negotiable transport document and contract of carriage for an air freight shipment.
Chargeable Weight
The weight freight is billed on — the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight.
Volumetric Weight
A notional weight derived from a shipment’s volume, used to charge bulky, low-density cargo fairly.
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