GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Air freight
Once a consignment reaches the departure airport, the air freight process begins: goods are accepted, consolidated, flown to the destination airport, deconsolidated, and delivered to the consignee.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_freight
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Definition & Explanation
Once a consignment reaches the departure airport, the air freight process begins: goods are accepted, consolidated, flown to the destination airport, deconsolidated, and delivered to the consignee. Central to the process are the Air Waybill (AWB) as the governing transport document, customs clearance at both origin and destination, and airport warehousing – typically coordinated by a freight forwarder or specialist air cargo broker. Rates are substantially higher than ocean or road freight, yet air cargo remains indispensable for time-sensitive goods such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and perishables. Unlike express courier services, conventional air freight is booked as line-haul cargo and generally applies to shipments above a minimum weight threshold.
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