GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026

Air Charter

Air charter is the exclusive hire of one or more aircraft for a specific transport operation outside scheduled airline service.

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Last updated: 16 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_charter

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Definition & Explanation

Air charter is the exclusive hire of one or more aircraft for a specific transport operation outside scheduled airline service. The charterer controls departure times, routing, and load configuration – a level of flexibility that scheduled cargo cannot offer. Rates are substantially higher, but charter becomes the only viable solution for emergency relief shipments, outsized industrial equipment, or time-sensitive cargo where standard capacity is unavailable or unsuitable. It differs from a block space agreement (BSA), where a forwarder secures a fixed allocation on a scheduled flight without any exclusive claim to the aircraft.

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Air Charter

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Related Terms

Cargo Charter Broker

Charter Agreement Negotiation

Vessel Charter Management

Charter Rate

Charter party

Chartering

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