How air cargo transportation is organized: types and peculiarities

Aviation plays an important role in the transportation of goods over short and long distances. The high speed of air transportation allows for delivery in a short time. The order and types of air transportation are strictly regulated and carried out according to the rules. What are the peculiarities of cargo aviation?

Types of cargo and conditions of air delivery

Cargo transportation is carried out according to documentary support. Transport shipments are classified into categories in accordance with the current regulatory documents.

Classification of cargoes for air transportation

• Lightweight cargoes of small weight and large volume. Such cargoes include parcels where 1 kg of weight takes 6000 cm³. Requirements for transportation are minimal, documents are provided from the standard list.
• Oversized and heavy cargoes weighing more than 80 kg with overall dimensions exceeding standard values. Shipments may be transported according to specifications. They can be packed or unpacked.
• Perishable shipments are foodstuffs, medicines, fresh flowers. Cargoes require quality certificates and certifications. They are transported according to temperature conditions.
• Dangerous goods. Packaging is labeled with the class of hazard I, II, III degree. To work with cargoes, to carry out acceptance and loading is allowed to persons who have undergone special training. A «Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods» will be required for transportation.
• Live cargo. Livestock, large animals, birds and fish are shipped by air. Transportation requires escort and permission of the veterinary service.

Any type of cargo can be accepted for domestic and international air transportation. All shipments must be labeled and have authorization documents. Of the advantages of delivery by air, it is worth noting the speed, safety, the absence of geographical obstacles and high cargo capacity. The advantages also include the peculiarities of customs control - there is no need to pass the border of each crossed country. The customs zone is passed twice, at takeoff and landing.

Features of tariffs for air cargo transportation

The cost of cargo shipments depends on the type of cargo, volume, weight, number of pallets or boxes, storage conditions, terms and direction. Shipping goods that need to maintain a certain temperature will also cost more.

Types of transportation:

• Collected delivery. Cargoes transported in one direction are sorted by type, characteristics and parameters. Transported by a single aircraft to a common consolidation warehouse. The advantage of delivery is the low cost.
• General delivery. Expensive and fast variant of cargo movement, when the transportation does not involve commodity batches from other customers.

Air transportation is in great demand. However, as with any method of delivery, there are disadvantages. First, it is high tariffs. The cost of air shipments is much higher than road, sea and rail transportation. Secondly, the dependence on weather conditions. Thunderstorms, storms and strong winds can limit flights and postpone the flight to another time. Third, the need for additional transportation. To transport a shipment to an airplane and then back again, a ground cargo vehicle will be required