GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026
Air Freight Transport Agreements
When a shipper books a consignment by air, the legal basis is an air freight transport agreement – a binding arrangement between carrier and contracting party, typically a freight forwarder, governing the conditions of carriage.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
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Definition & Explanation
When a shipper books a consignment by air, the legal basis is an air freight transport agreement – a binding arrangement between carrier and contracting party, typically a freight forwarder, governing the conditions of carriage. In practice, the air waybill (AWB) serves as both the contract of carriage and the cargo receipt. Core provisions cover liability limits under international treaties, most notably the Montreal Convention, along with freight rates, payment terms, packaging and declaration requirements, and claims procedures. Framework agreements between forwarders and airlines secure recurring capacity at pre-negotiated rates, eliminating the need to renegotiate for each shipment. Unlike the bill of lading in sea freight, the AWB is non-negotiable and does not confer title to the goods.
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