GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 8, 2026

Air Passenger Cargo Handling

Last updated: 8 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/ops-infra/ground-handling/

Category

Logistics Concept

Reading time

1 min

Words

Mentioned in

–

Ground handling of cargo on passenger aircraft is the time-critical process of preparing freight for belly loading: freight forwarders hand over shipments to specialized handling agents, who accept, screen, store and load cargo into aircraft unit load devices (ULDs) within a few hours. Loading and unloading are tightly coordinated with passenger boarding and aircraft turnaround. Unlike dedicated air cargo terminals, this operation occurs at passenger terminals and shares ground handling infrastructure with baggage operations.

Next steps

Tools that match this term

Find HS codeDetermine the tariff number for customsOpen Calculate customs valueWork out import duties and customs valueOpen Compare IncotermsClarify duties, cost and riskOpen Calculate transit timeEstimate duration per transport modeOpen

Related Terms

You might also be interested in these terms

Cargo ship

A cargo ship is purpose-built to transport merchandise across seas—containers, breakbulk, general cargo, or specialized freight—ov…

Learn more

ICAO Cargo Facilitation Standards

ICAO Cargo Facilitation Standards aim to streamline and accelerate air cargo processing while maintaining security. They harmonize…

Learn more

Cargo aircraft

When time-critical shipments of pharmaceuticals or electronics need to reach distant markets within days, a cargo aircraft becomes…

Learn more

Air Cargo Security Measures

A shipper preparing an air cargo booking discovers that the airline's dangerous goods advisor and security officer require backgro…

Learn more

Aircraft Cargo

Air cargo (or air freight) is the transportation of goods via dedicated cargo aircraft or the cargo compartments of passenger plan…

Learn more

All-Cargo Freight Flights

All-cargo freight flights operate exclusively for goods transportation using aircraft configured entirely for cargo, with no passe…

Learn more

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Weekly: Top news, industry facts and insights from the world of logistics – free.

Air Passenger Cargo Handling

Next steps

Related Terms

Cargo ship

ICAO Cargo Facilitation Standards

Cargo aircraft

Air Cargo Security Measures

Aircraft Cargo

All-Cargo Freight Flights

Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox

Community Questions & Answers