GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 25, 2026

Interline Cargo Transfer Points

In a multi-carrier air freight routing, interline cargo transfer points are the nodes where a shipment is physically handed from one airline to the next.

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Last updated: 25 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.iata.org/contentassets/68b24b4ca47d4db3baa51e74e53cb282/glossary.pdf

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Logistics Concept

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1 min

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Definition & Explanation

In a multi-carrier air freight routing, interline cargo transfer points are the nodes where a shipment is physically handed from one airline to the next. They are typically located at major international hub airports with dedicated cargo terminals, where freight is offloaded, inspected, cleared through customs where required, and prepared for the connecting flight. At each transfer point, carriers exchange transport documents and record the handover – documentation that becomes decisive evidence in damage or loss claims. The operational capacity of a transfer point, encompassing ground time, warehouse availability and customs clearance speed, directly determines whether a given interline routing is commercially viable. Bottlenecks at these nodes can cascade into delays across the entire supply chain, generating additional costs for both shippers and forwarders.