Air freight transport

Air freight traffic is an important mode of transport in foreign trade. In terms of traffic volume, it plays in comparison to the Ocean freight transport plays a smaller role, but its growth rates are substantial. The main legal bases for air freight traffic are the Warsaw Convention of 1992, the Hague Protocol of 1955 in its new version from 1971 and the General Conditions of the IATA (International Air Transport Association). The following special features must be observed in international air freight traffic:

Freight handling

Air freight agents are active at the airports and in many cities to ensure smooth freight handling and, if requested, they can also handle pre- and post-transport, optimal packaging and insurance.

In addition to the larger airports, there are also increasing numbers of off-airport terminals that have good rail and road connections in order to handle broken freight traffic as smoothly as possible.

Collective loader

In addition, collective loaders (possibly the air freight agent himself) are active, which summarize smaller shipping quantities in their own name and declare them as total loads that can be discounted. However, this can lead to short waiting times before a groupage is available.

Air freight rates were set as:

•  General cargo rates apply to all goods without special regulations
• Special freight rates apply to certain goods within specified deadlines and airports
• Goods class rates refer e.g. B. on valuable goods with surcharge
• Special rate ULD (Unit Load Device) when transporting containers or pallets.