Air freight

 

A fast, premium mode in which goods ride belly-hold space on passenger flights or dedicated freighters. It accounts for only 1 % of world trade by tonnage but 35 % by value, moving electronics, fashion, perishables and emergency spares at near-real-time speed.

How big is the global air-freight market?

 

The air-cargo industry is valued at USD 269.1 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 487.6 billion by 2034, expanding at a 6.3 % CAGR as e-commerce demand, semiconductor reshoring and just-in-case inventory strategies raise premium-speed volumes.

How is chargeable weight calculated in air freight?

 

Airlines bill the greater of actual vs. volumetric weight.
Volumetric (or dimensional) weight = (L × W × H cm) ÷ 6 000.
Example: a 40 cm × 50 cm × 60 cm carton = 120 000 cm³ → 20 kg volumetric weight. If the box’s gross weight is 18 kg, the tariff is applied to 20 kg.

What documents are required for international air-freight shipments?

 

  • Air Waybill (AWB) – contract of carriage and cargo receipt (now 80 %+ electronic).
  • Commercial invoice – value for customs and insurance.
  • Packing list – detailed contents and weights.
  • Certificate of Origin (CO) – to claim preferential duty rates where applicable.

  • DG declaration / MSDS – for dangerous, lithium-battery or chemical cargo.

    Accurate data filed up-front avoids holds under the U.S. Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) or EU ICS-2 security programmes.

How long does customs clearance take for air cargo?

 

When entries are pre-filed and paperwork is clean, 24-72 hours is typical from wheels-up to release.

Inspections, missing HS codes or PGA permits can stretch that to a week or more.

How does Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) decarbonise air freight?

 

Sustainable Aviation Fuel made from used cooking oils, waste lipids or power-to-liquids e-fuels, can cut life-cycle CO₂e by up to 80 % versus Jet-A1. Yet supply is < 1 % of total aviation fuel and costs ~3× higher, making corporate book-and-claim schemes and government blending mandates crucial to scaling output this decade.

En savoir plus

How are global end-to-end air-freight solutions delivered?

 

  • Own aircraft capacity – Logistics providers secure space through chartered or block-space agreements on major intercontinental corridors, helping ensure availability even in constrained markets.
  • AirSmart programme – They combine sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) options, optimized routing, and standardized CO₂ accounting methods to support shippers in reducing Scope 3 emissions.
  • Control-tower visibility – Digital shipment-management platforms integrate electronic air waybill (e-AWB) and ONE Record data, offering predictive ETA alerts and synchronization with customers’ ERP systems.
  • Performance track record – Providers track service KPIs such as on-time performance, cargo integrity, and carbon-intensity reductions to continuously improve reliability and environmental impact.

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