What is Air Cargo Transportation?
Among all existing transportation options, air cargo transportation stands out as one of the fastest and most reliable methods for freight worldwide. Currently, air transport has become an indispensable element in global trade, eliminating barriers of time and distance and offering significant benefits to companies. Especially for products requiring quick delivery to distant locations, perishable foods, and urgent medical supplies, this method has become one of the most important elements of the modern logistics industry. Air transportation is not only critical for commercial goods but also plays a vital role in passenger transportation.
We will examine the advantages and disadvantages of air transportation. We will discuss the factors companies should consider when deciding whether to prefer this mode of transportation.
Advantages of Air Cargo Transportation
Air cargo transportation has become an indispensable part of the modern logistics sector. The most important feature of air transport is its speed advantage, which provides access to distant locations in a short time. This characteristic offers significant gains in the field of global trade. The value of fragile goods is preserved because they can be delivered to their destinations much faster. Companies need to hold less stock, which can reduce inventory costs. This also significantly decreases storage expenses. Another important benefit of air cargo is the much more efficient communication during transportation. Thanks to advanced tracking systems, every stage of the cargo can be monitored, and recipients can be instantly informed.
The presence of various air transportation companies offers the advantage of adaptable scheduling.
When transporting sensitive materials such as medicines, foods, and vaccines by sea, they can reach target regions quickly via aircraft. Because long travel times and atmospheric conditions can cause moisture damage, this product category is vulnerable. Therefore, air cargo is primarily preferred for the transportation of fragile materials.
Compared to alternative shipping methods, the transportation process is quite short.
It enables the transportation of small-sized items.
Due to its fast and effective structure, air logistics simplifies customs procedures and shipping processes, making them easier to understand.
Thanks to developments in the logistics sector, air transportation is no longer limited to just airports. When necessary, direct delivery to homes or workplaces using special vehicles, product storage, customs procedures, and packaging services can also be provided. With this approach, the appeal of air transportation can be further enhanced with value-added services.
In the air cargo sector, where goods with low weight and volume are generally transported, activities such as unloading and loading at different stops in multi-modal transportation increase travel time and require additional personnel. Therefore, air cargo transportation not only benefits from shorter arrival times but also offers practicality in placing goods onto the transportation vehicle.
For more information about the advantages of air transportation, you can check our blog post on air cargo transportation advantages.
Disadvantages of Air Cargo Transportation
Overall, since air transportation is a fast, safe, and technologically advanced service, it incurs higher costs compared to other transportation types. The disadvantages of air transport include high prices, limited cargo capacity, and dependence on weather conditions. Additionally, there are restrictions on transporting some hazardous materials, and limitations on cargo dimensions. Companies requesting transportation services should conduct feasibility analyses considering all these factors and seek consultancy from a reliable transportation company to guide their supply processes more efficiently. This way, they can minimize the disadvantages of air transportation and benefit from fast and reliable delivery advantages.
Here are some of the main disadvantages encountered in air transportation:
Due to the mentioned costs, air transportation may impose restrictions on the shipment of large and heavy cargo. Air transport is suitable for lightweight, space-efficient, valuable, and compact items. Therefore, there is a certain limit.
Air cargo transportation is more susceptible to and affected by global events and climate conditions more quickly and intensely.
Price is the most significant downside of air transportation. Compared to other shipping methods, especially because of the high cost of aircraft fuel, air transport remains a very expensive option. Companies that prefer air cargo must offset this high cost disadvantage with the other advantages provided by air transportation.
What Are the Features of Air Transportation?
The main features of air transportation include speed, safety, and comfort. Factors such as aircraft load capacity, cost, and occupancy rate, as well as meteorological conditions on the travel day, play a role. These factors directly affect the operations of air companies and the travel experience of customers. Flights may be delayed or canceled due to adverse weather conditions. To ensure smooth flights, meteorological forecasts must be considered in planning. Air companies continuously monitor meteorological conditions to maintain maximum safety and make adjustments to their flight schedules when necessary. In intercity transportation, air travel offers the possibility of very quick movement by minimizing delays. It becomes a preferred alternative for business trips and emergencies.
Types of Air Cargo
Special Cargo: These are shipments that require special procedures during transportation and handling. Specific rules must be applied during acceptance, labeling, loading, and stacking of such cargo. Dangerous goods, live animals, valuables, and cargo with special size or weight characteristics are classified as a privileged shipment category.
Standard Cargo Transportation: A commonly preferred method for transporting goods that are not urgent and are generally not time-sensitive.
Express Delivery Cargo: A method preferred for the fastest delivery of urgent and time-sensitive products.
Interested? Which Loads Are Suitable for Air Transportation?
