GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Air Freight Consolidation
Air freight consolidation lets shippers with small consignments achieve lower per-kilogram rates by grouping multiple shipments from different senders into a single unit load device (ULD) bound for the same destination airport.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
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Check transit time: city-to-city index
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Air freight consolidation lets shippers with small consignments achieve lower per-kilogram rates by grouping multiple shipments from different senders into a single unit load device (ULD) bound for the same destination airport. A consolidator – typically a freight forwarder – acts as the sole shipper vis-à-vis the airline, holding the Master Airway Bill (MAWB) and issuing individual House Airway Bills (HAWBs) to each underlying customer. Unit costs fall because aircraft capacity is used more efficiently, and on high-volume trade lanes with frequent departures, regular consolidation can also reduce overall transit times. The model differs from charter consolidation, where the entire capacity of an aircraft is booked as a single block.
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Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
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