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Air freight behind the scenes
March 3, 2026What does air cargo really look like, step by step?
Did you know that air freight accounts for less than 1% of global cargo volume, yet represents approximately 33–35% of world trade by value? In other words, aircraft carry goods that are high-value, highly time-sensitive, or critical to production continuity.
This is why air cargo is most commonly used by industries such as:
- medical and pharmaceutical,
- high-tech and electronics,
- automotive (time-critical spare parts),
- perishable goods.
Now let’s look behind the scenes: what happens to a shipment before the aircraft even takes off — and where delays or additional charges most often arise.
Step 1: Shipment acceptance and preparation
Before cargo reaches the airport, it must be fully prepared — because in aviation, any documentation gap immediately stops the process.
At this stage, we verify:
- transport documentation (AWB / e-AWB — the air waybill),
- weight and dimensions (this is where the first discrepancies often appear),
- packaging and labelling (including special markings: DG, lithium batteries, perishables, etc.),
- security screening and initial customs verification.
Step 2: Customs clearance and consolidation at the cargo terminal
Shipments are delivered to the airport cargo terminal, where they:
- are scanned into cargo systems,
- wait in controlled storage zones,
- are often consolidated (combining multiple shipments into one unit),
- are prepared for loading into ULDs (Unit Load Devices — aircraft pallets and containers).
Contrary to appearances, a cargo terminal is not a parking area. It is a cost-sensitive operational environment — especially for urgent or temperature-controlled cargo.
Step 3: Air transport
During the flight, we monitor:
- temperature compliance (pharma, food, live cargo),
- shocks and vibrations for sensitive goods,
- shipment status in real time.
Technologies such as RFID, IoT, track & trace, and geofencing are becoming standard in air cargo, giving shippers visibility into cargo location and expected arrival times.
Step 4: Arrival, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery
After landing, the second critical phase begins — the handover from airport operations to road or rail transport. Statistically, this is where schedules most often start to slip.
On arrival:
- ULDs are unloaded,
- customs clearance is completed at the destination airport,
- cargo is transferred to truck or rail,
- door-to-door delivery to the consignee takes place.
For imports from China or the USA, strong coordination on the ground is essential — even a perfect flight does not help if cargo gets stuck at the terminal.
Why air cargo matters today?
In 2024, demand for air freight increased significantly, driven by e-commerce growth and congestion in sea freight. Airlines transported record volumes, and the market continues to expand.
What does this mean for importers and exporters?
- advance capacity booking is becoming increasingly important,
- during peak seasons, access to proven operational channels matters,
- having a partner who manages the entire process — not just the flight — is critical.
Most common air freight issues (and how to avoid them)
Documentation errors
AWB, invoice, HS code, cargo description — every detail matters.
Weight and dimension discrepancies
In aviation, charges are based on actual or volumetric weight — differences are identified immediately.
Undeclared special cargo
DG, lithium batteries, temperature-controlled or oversized cargo — missing declarations mean immediate terminal stops.
Ground handovers
Often the biggest bottleneck. This is why pre-carriage and on-carriage must be integrated into a single operational plan.
When does air freight make sense?
Air freight is the right choice when:
- delivery deadlines are critical (production, seasonality, contracts),
- cargo is high-value or time-sensitive,
- you want to avoid long queues in sea transport,
- full shipment visibility is required.
And if you are running regular imports from China or air freight on PL–USA / USA–PL lanes, the process can be structured in a way that ensures stability — without unexpected surcharges along the way.
ul. Tyniecka 27/2
02-615 Warszawa, Polska
KRS: 0000097522
REGON 011883175
NIP 5261063249
District Court for the capital city of Warsaw in Warsaw,
XIII Commercial Division of the National Court Register
Share capital – PLN 153 500.00
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