Since its establishment, we has been constantly developing and has created a solid foothold in the field of air freight transport in Vietnam. Currently, we has and has transportation contracts with major international airlines in the world with high flight frequency, large payload and flies to almost anywhere in the world such as: Vietnam Airlines, Air Mauritius Cargo, British Airways World Cargo, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Garuda Indonesia Airways….

1. What is air transportation?

Air transportation is a method of transportation that uses dedicated aircraft to transport cargo (Cargo Aircraft or Freighter) or carries them in the belly of a civil aircraft (Passenger Plane). Up to now, air cargo accounts for a small percentage of the total international freight weight (less than 0.5%), while it accounts around 30% of the total value. According to Boeing aircraft manufacturing statistics, in 2012, dedicated cargo aircraft transported approximately 60% of the global air cargo shipments and passenger planes handled the remaining 40%.

2. What is air freight?

Air freight is one of the highly competitive forms of transportation in the logistics industry today. It offers many advantages but also has several disadvantages. To decide whether to choose this transportation method or not, let’s check some information below.

Air freight is also simply understood as using aircraft to transport cargo. The cargo are carefully packed and loaded onto dedicated cargo aircraft or cargo compartments of passenger aircraft. With the development of the economy and increased trade between countries, this method of transportation is becoming more popular and dominant.

However, due to the unique characteristics of the aviation industry, this transportation method is normally suitable for high-value cargo and short delivery times. It is commonly used for various types of cargo such as:

• Air mail, express courriers.
• Live animals, human viscera, human remains.
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Valuable items (gold, diamonds, antiques).
• Technical equipment (high-tech products, aircraft parts, marine equipment, cars).
• Luxury consumer cargo (electronics, fashion).
• Perishable cargo (food, fresh flowers, dry ice-packed items).

3. Advantages and disadvantages of air freight:

In logistics, each transportation method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Air freight stands out with its fast and secure delivery but comes at a higher cost. Therefore, it is best suited for high-value cargo and time-sensitive cargo such as:

• Air mail, express post.
• Perishable cargo (food, fresh flowers, dry ice-packed items).
• Pharmaceuticals.
• Valuable items as gold, silver and diamonds.
• Technical equipment (high-tech products, aircraft parts, marine equipment, cars).
• Luxury consumer cargo (electronics, fashion).

3.1. Advantages of air freight:

The biggest advantage of air transportation is high speed. Aircraft have the highest speed among current transportation vehicles. On average, cargo or passenger planes have an average speed of about 800-1000km/h. Very higher compared to other common methods like sea vessels (12-25 nautical miles/hour), trains (in Vietnam only about 60-80km/h), or trucks (60-80km/h). Additionally, air transportation is safer than road, rail, and sea transportation.

Besides, there are other outstanding advantages such as:

Not hindered by terrain like roads or waterways. Therefore, it can connect to virtually all countries worldwide.

Fast, punctual service due to the high flying speed and the nature of high-value or perishable cargo.

Minimizes losses from mishandling, breakage, or theft.

Lower transport insurance fees due to less risk than other methods.

Low storage fees due to the nature of cargo and fast processing speed of procedures.

3.2. Disadvantages of air transportation:

High freight prices, calculated per kilogram.

Limited and less suitable for transporting low-value cargo.

Smaller transport capacity compared to other methods. Not suitable for bulky or heavy cargo. The cargo volume is limited by the cabin size, door dimensions, and payload capacity. In such cases, sea freight is more viable solution.

Stricter standard requirements. Related to regulations and laws to ensure flight security and safety. Many high-risk items (e.g. flammable, explosive) are not accepted for transport. For example, when traveling, during the process of checking passengers and cargo with scanning machines, you will feel the strictness of regulations in the aviation transportation industry.

Affected by weather conditions: flights can be delayed due to unfavorable weather such as fog, thunderstorms, etc.

4. Parties involved in air freight:

From the shipper’s perspective, there are many parties involved:

Postal companies transport air mail, documents envelopes and packages weighing up to 30 kg. These companies subcontracting the transportation services from airlines. For example: EMS, Viettel,…

International courier companies transport documents envelopes and packages up to 75 kg. They also subcontracting the cargo transportation services from airlines. For example: Kerry Express.

International integrators transport envelopes and packages up to 75 kg. They often use their own transport aircraft and may also rent part of the services from airlines. For example: DHL Express, FedEx, TNT Express, UPS.

Air cargo forwarders transport packages and consolidated shipments over 75kg by subcontracting services from airlines. For example: Agility, CEVA Logistics, C.H. Robinson, Damco, DB Schenker,…

Airlines and air operators use their aircraft for transporting cargo and passengers.

According to statistics from the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA), forwarder companies handle up to 80% of international air freight shipments. They manage shipments door-to-door for their clients, while airlines focus only airport-to-airport cargo transportation.

Therefore, depending on specific cargo requirements, you can use services such as:

• Domestic air transportation.
• International air transportation.
• Air express delivery.