GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026
Civil Aviation Logistics
Civil aviation logistics comes into play the moment a shipment arrives at the cargo acceptance desk of a commercial airport.
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Source: https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/
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Civil aviation logistics comes into play the moment a shipment arrives at the cargo acceptance desk of a commercial airport. It covers all ground-side operational processes in commercial air transport: cargo acceptance and documentation checks, dangerous goods handling in accordance with IATA regulations, security screening, physical loading and unloading of aircraft, and ramp services. It also encompasses airline provisioning—aircraft parts, in-flight catering, and operational supplies. Freight forwarders, ground handlers, airlines, and customs authorities work in tightly sequenced workflows, as handling delays directly jeopardize flight schedules. Unlike air freight forwarding—which focuses on booking, documentation, and customs clearance—civil aviation logistics covers the entire physical ground handling chain on the apron.
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