How much does air freight cost per kg?

Air freight costs vary greatly by route, weight and service: Standard air freight approx. EUR 2–8/kg, Express (24–48h) approx. EUR 5–15/kg, Same Day / NFO approx. EUR 10–30/kg. Additional charges include fuel surcharge (FSC), security surcharge (SSC) and customs clearance. Chargeable weight (volumetric weight: L×W×H/6000 vs. actual weight) determines billing.

What is an AWB (Air Waybill)?

An AWB (Air Waybill) is the key document in air freight. It acts as a contract of carriage, receipt, and tracking document. Unlike the Bill of Lading (sea freight), the AWB is non-negotiable. The MAWB (Master AWB) is issued by the airline, the HAWB (House AWB) by the freight forwarder. The 11-digit AWB number enables worldwide real-time tracking.

How is chargeable weight calculated?

Chargeable weight in air freight is the greater of: actual gross weight (kg) vs. volumetric weight (cm³ / 6,000). Example: A shipment 80×60×50 cm has volumetric weight 80×60×50/6000 = 40 kg. If actual weight is only 25 kg, billing is at 40 kg (chargeable weight). Courier services often use divisor 5,000.

What is the difference between express and standard air freight?

Standard air freight (Economy Air): 3–5 business days, cheapest option, space subject to availability. Express (24–48h): prioritised space on direct flights. Same Day / NFO (Next Flight Out): next available flight, 6–24h. AOG (Aircraft on Ground): emergency service for aircraft parts, 2–6h. Hand Carry: human courier personally accompanies the shipment.

What is IATA Dangerous Goods (DGR) in air freight?

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) govern the air transport of hazardous materials. There are 9 classes (explosives, gases, flammables, solids, oxidisers, toxic, radioactive, corrosive, miscellaneous). Shippers must complete a Shipper's Declaration, use approved packaging and apply specific markings. IATA DGR regulations are stricter than ADR (road) or IMDG (sea).

What is a charter flight in air freight?

An air freight charter means the exclusive booking of an entire cargo aircraft (full freighter). Charter types: Ad-hoc charter (single flight), ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance – wet lease), Time Charter (long-term rental). Suitable for shipments from approximately 30–50 tonnes, time-critical express deliveries or destinations with no regular scheduled service. Full freighter types: Boeing 747F (approx. 110t), B777F (approx. 102t), MD-11F (approx. 90t).

How long does air freight from China to Europe take?

Air freight from China (e.g. Shanghai, Shenzhen) to Europe (Frankfurt, Amsterdam): Direct flight 11–13 hours flight time. Including pre-carriage, handling at origin airport and customs clearance at destination airport, door-to-door time is typically 3–5 business days for standard express. Same Day or NFO can be delivered within 24–36h. Economy Air takes 5–7 business days.

What documents do I need for air freight?

Mandatory documents for international air freight: 1) AWB (Air Waybill), 2) Commercial Invoice with cargo value and HS code, 3) Packing List, 4) Export Customs Declaration (EXA/AES), 5) for dangerous goods: Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (SDDG). Optional: Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, CITES permit for protected species. For letter of credit transactions: complete document set.

What are FSC and SSC in air freight?

FSC (Fuel Surcharge) varies weekly or monthly based on jet fuel prices, usually EUR 0.50–2.00/kg. SSC (Security Surcharge / Security and Cargo Screening) covers airport security screening measures, usually EUR 0.10–0.30/kg. Both surcharges are additional to the base rate and applied to chargeable weight. Other surcharges: SCC (screening), AMS (US pre-notification), PCA (Peak Congestion Add-on).

Can lithium batteries be sent by air freight?

Lithium batteries are IATA Dangerous Goods Class 9 (Miscellaneous dangerous substances). Lithium-ion batteries (UN 3480) and lithium metal batteries (UN 3090) may be shipped by air freight under strict conditions: state of charge maximum 30% for UN 3480, original packaging or UN-approved packaging, hazard label marking, Shipper's Declaration. Passenger aircraft have stricter quantity limits than cargo-only aircraft.

What is Belly Cargo vs. Full Freighter?

Belly Cargo: freight transported in the lower deck of a passenger aircraft. Cheaper option, dependent on passenger flight routes and capacities. Capacity of an A380: approx. 20–23t belly cargo. Full Freighter: Dedicated cargo aircraft (no passenger cabin). Higher capacity (Boeing 747F: approx. 110t), more route and schedule flexibility, ideal for heavy or bulky freight, dangerous goods and large charter volumes.

What is an AWB prefix?

The AWB prefix is a unique 3-digit number assigned to each IATA member airline. It forms the first 3 digits of the Air Waybill number. Example: 020-12345678 – the 020 identifies Lufthansa Cargo. The prefix immediately reveals which airline is carrying the freight.

What is an airline's IATA code?

The IATA code (also: airline designator) is a 2-letter code assigned to each airline by IATA. It is used in flight schedules, AWBs, booking systems (GDS) and cargo terminals. Examples: LH = Lufthansa, EK = Emirates, SQ = Singapore Airlines. Not to be confused with the ICAO airline designator (3 letters, e.g. DLH) or the AWB prefix (3-digit number). Four-letter ICAO codes are location indicators for airports (e.g. EDDF), not airline codes.

What exactly is the AWB number format?

An AWB number consists of 11 digits: [3-digit prefix]-[8-digit shipment number]. Example: 020-12345678. The first 3 digits (here: 020) identify the issuing airline (Lufthansa Cargo). The last 8 digits are the unique shipment number. The full 11-digit number is required for tracking with the airline or via the IATA Cargo Portal.

Difference between IATA code and AWB prefix?

IATA code: 2 letters, identifies the airline in flight schedules and booking systems (e.g. LH for Lufthansa). AWB prefix: 3 digits, identifies the airline on the air waybill (e.g. 020 for Lufthansa Cargo). Both codes are issued by IATA but serve different purposes and have no mathematical relationship.

Can I track a shipment using the AWB prefix?

Yes. From the AWB prefix you immediately know which airline is transporting the shipment. Then track directly on the airline's cargo website (e.g. lufthansa-cargo.com for prefix 020) or universally via the IATA Cargo Portal at cargo.iata.org. For House AWB numbers (HAWB), use your freight forwarder's tracking system.

Start Wissen Tools Partner finden Glossar

Freight-Academy · Air Freight

Airline IATA Codes & AWB Prefixes

206+ cargo airlines – IATA code, AWB prefix & hub at a glance

Last updated: 1 March 2026

Updated: Mar. 1, 2026

7World regions

11AWB digits

IATAStandardised

Frachtportal.com · 2026

206+Cargo Airlines

Listed in the Frachtportal database

With IATA code, AWB prefix and hub airport

Source: Frachtportal.com, 2026

How to read an AWB number?

An AWB number consists of 11 digits in the format XXX-YYYYYYYY. The first 3 digits (XXX) are the airline's AWB prefix – it uniquely identifies the carrier. The last 8 digits are the individual shipment number. Example: 020-12345678 → Lufthansa Cargo

Region:

Type:

206 airlines found

Airline	IATA	AWB Prefix	Country	Hub	Type:
21 Air			United States	`GSO`	Freighter
ABX Air	`GB`	`832`	United States	`ILN`	Freighter
ACT Airlines	`9T`		Türkiye		Freighter
Aegean Airlines Cargo	`A3`		Greece		Passenger + Cargo
AerCaribe			Colombia		Freighter
Aerolíneas Argentinas Cargo	`AR`	`044`	Argentina	`AEP`	Freighter
AeroLogic	`3S`		Germany		Freighter
Aeroméxico Cargo	`AM`	`139`	Mexico	`MEX`	Passenger + Cargo
Aeronaves TSM			Mexico	`SLW`	Freighter
Aerotranscargo	`F5`		Moldova	`RMO`	Freighter
Air Algérie Cargo			Algeria	`ALG`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Arabia Cargo	`G9`	`514`	United Arab Emirates	`RKT`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Astana Cargo	`KC`	`465`	Kazakhstan	`NQZ`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Atlanta Icelandic	`CC`	`318`	Iceland		Freighter
Air Belgium	`CB`		Belgium		Freighter
Air Canada Cargo	`AC`	`014`	Canada	`FRA`	Freighter
Air Cargo Carriers			United States		Freighter
Air Central			China	`CGO`	Freighter
Air Century			Dominican Republic	`JBQ`	Passenger + Cargo
Air China Cargo	`CA`	`999`	China	`CTU`	Freighter
Air Côte d'Ivoire Cargo	`HF`	`483`	Côte d’Ivoire	`ABJ`	Passenger + Cargo
Air France Cargo	`AF`	`057`	France	`CDG`	Freighter
Air Greenland Cargo			Greenland		Passenger + Cargo
Air Hong Kong	`LD`	`288`	Hong Kong SAR China	`HKG`	Freighter
Air India Cargo	`AI`	`098`	India	`BLR`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Mauritius Cargo			Mauritius		Passenger + Cargo
Air New Zealand Cargo	`NZ`	`086`	New Zealand	`AKL`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Peace Cargo	`P4`	`710`	Nigeria	`ABV`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Serbia Cargo	`JU`		Serbia	`BEG`	Passenger + Cargo
Air Tanzania Cargo	`TC`	`197`	Tanzania	`DAR`	Freighter
Air Transport International	`8C`		United States	`ILN`	Freighter
Airlink Cargo	`4Z`	`749`	South Africa	`JNB`	Passenger + Cargo
AIRZETA	`KJ`	`994`	South Korea	`VIE`	Freighter
Alaska Air Cargo	`AS`	`027`	United States	`HNL`	Freighter
Allied Air	`4W`	`574`	Nigeria	`LOS`	Freighter
Aloha Air Cargo			United States	`HNL`	Freighter
Amazon Air Cargo			United States	`SBD`	Integrator
American Airlines Cargo	`AA`	`001`	United States	`DCA`	Passenger + Cargo
Ameriflight			United States		Freighter
Amerijet International	`M6`	`810`	United States	`MIA`	Freighter
ANA Cargo	`NH`	`205`	Japan	`OKA`	Freighter
Antonov Airlines			Ukraine	`LEJ`	Freighter
Asia Pacific Airlines			United States	`GUM`	Freighter
Asiana Cargo	`OZ`	`988`	South Korea	`ICN`	Passenger + Cargo
ASL Airlines Belgium	`3V`	`756`	Belgium	`LGG`	Freighter
ASL Airlines France	`5O`	`558`	France	`CDG`	Freighter
ASL Airlines Ireland	`5H`	`914`	Ireland	`DUB`	Freighter
Astral Aviation	`8V`	`485`	Kenya	`LGG`	Freighter
Atlas Air	`5Y`	`369`	United States	`JFK`	Freighter
Atran Airlines			Russia		Freighter
Austrian Airlines Cargo	`OS`		Austria	`VIE`	Passenger + Cargo
Avianca Cargo	`QT`	`729`	Colombia	`BOG`	Freighter
Avianca Cargo México	`6R`	`873`	Mexico	`NLU`	Freighter
Aviastar-TU			Russia		Freighter
Awesome Cargo			Mexico		Freighter
AZAL Cargo	`J2`		Azerbaijan		Passenger + Cargo
Belavia Cargo	`B2`	`628`	Belarus		Passenger + Cargo
Biman Bangladesh Cargo			Bangladesh		Passenger + Cargo
Blue Dart Aviation	`BZ`	`620`	India	`MAA`	Freighter
Brussels Airlines Cargo	`SN`		Belgium	`BRU`	Passenger + Cargo
Bulgaria Air Cargo			Bulgaria	`SOF`	Passenger + Cargo
Calm Air			Canada		Freighter
Cargo Air			Bulgaria	`SOF`	Freighter
Cargojet	`W8`	`489`	Canada	`YHM`	Freighter
Cargolux	`CV`	`172`	Luxembourg	`CGO`	Freighter
Cargolux Italia	`C8`	`356`	Italy		Freighter
Cathay Cargo	`CX`	`160`	Hong Kong SAR China	`HKG`	Freighter
Cayman Airways Cargo	`KX`		Cayman Islands		Passenger + Cargo
Cebu Pacific Cargo	`5J`	`203`	Philippines	`CRK`	Passenger + Cargo
Central Airlines	`I9`	`959`	China		Freighter
Challenge Airlines BE	`X7`	`744`	Belgium	`LGG`	Freighter
Challenge Airlines IL	`5C`	`700`	Israel	`LGG`	Freighter
China Airlines Cargo	`CI`	`297`	Taiwan	`TPE`	Freighter
China Cargo Airlines	`CK`	`112`	China	`CKG`	Freighter
China Postal Airlines	`CF`	`804`	China		Freighter
China Southern Cargo	`CZ`		China	`SZX`	Freighter
CMA CGM AIR CARGO	`2C`	`003`	France	`CDG`	Freighter
Condor Cargo	`DE`	`881`	Germany	`CUN`	Passenger + Cargo
Conviasa Cargo	`V0`		Venezuela	`CCS`	Passenger + Cargo
Copa Airlines Cargo	`CM`	`230`	Panama	`PTY`	Freighter
Croatia Airlines Cargo	`OU`		Croatia		Passenger + Cargo
Delta Cargo	`DL`	`006`	United States	`JFK`	Passenger + Cargo
DHL Air UK	`D0`		United Kingdom	`EMA`	Freighter
Edelweiss Air Cargo			Switzerland	`ZRH`	Passenger + Cargo
EgyptAir Cargo	`MS`	`077`	Egypt	`CAI`	Freighter
El Al Cargo	`LY`	`114`	Israel	`TLV`	Freighter
Emirates SkyCargo	`EK`	`176`	United Arab Emirates	`DXB`	Freighter
Empire Airlines			United States	`ANC`	Freighter
Estafeta Carga Aérea	`E7`	`355`	Mexico	`SLP`	Freighter
Ethiopian Cargo & Logistics Services	`ET`	`071`	Ethiopia	`ADD`	Freighter
Etihad Cargo	`EY`	`607`	United Arab Emirates	`AUH`	Freighter
European Air Transport Leipzig	`QY`	`615`	Germany	`LEJ`	Freighter
EVA Air Cargo	`BR`	`695`	Taiwan	`TPE`	Freighter
Everts Air Cargo			United States		Freighter
FedEx Express	`FX`	`023`	United States	`CDG`	Integrator
Finnair Cargo	`AY`	`105`	Finland	`HEL`	Passenger + Cargo
flydubai Cargo	`FZ`	`141`	United Arab Emirates	`DWC`	Passenger + Cargo
flynas Cargo			Saudi Arabia		Passenger + Cargo
Garuda Indonesia Cargo	`GA`	`126`	Indonesia	`CGK`	Passenger + Cargo
Gollog	`G3`	`127`	Brazil	`GRU`	Freighter
Gulf Air Cargo	`GF`	`072`	Bahrain	`BAH`	Passenger + Cargo
Hainan Airlines Cargo	`HU`	`880`	China		Passenger + Cargo
Hi Fly			Portugal		Passenger + Cargo
Hong Kong Air Cargo	`RH`	`828`	Hong Kong SAR China	`HKG`	Freighter
IAG Cargo			United Kingdom	`LHR`	Passenger + Cargo
IBC Airways			United States		Freighter
Iberia Cargo	`IB`	`075`	Spain	`MAD`	Passenger + Cargo
Icelandair Cargo	`FI`	`108`	Iceland	`LGG`	Freighter
IndiGo CarGo	`6E`	`312`	India	`DEL`	Freighter
Iraqi Airways Cargo	`IA`	`073`	Iraq	`BGW`	Passenger + Cargo
ITA Airways Cargo	`AZ`	`055`	Italy	`LIN`	Passenger + Cargo
Japan Airlines Cargo	`JL`	`131`	Japan	`KIX`	Freighter
Jazeera Air Cargo	`J9`	`486`	Kuwait	`KWI`	Passenger + Cargo
JD Airlines	`JG`	`619`	China	`NTG`	Freighter
Jeju Air Cargo	`7C`		South Korea		Passenger + Cargo
JetBlue Cargo			United States		Passenger + Cargo
Jettime			Denmark		Passenger + Cargo
K-Mile Air			Thailand		Freighter
Kalitta Air	`K4`	`272`	United States		Freighter
Kenya Airways Cargo	`KQ`	`706`	Kenya	`NBO`	Freighter
KLM Cargo	`KL`	`074`	Netherlands	`CDG`	Passenger + Cargo
Korean Air Cargo	`KE`	`180`	South Korea	`ICN`	Freighter
Kuwait Airways Cargo	`KU`	`229`	Kuwait	`KWI`	Passenger + Cargo
LATAM Cargo Brasil	`M3`	`549`	Brazil		Freighter
LATAM Cargo Chile	`UC`	`145`	Chile		Freighter
LATAM Cargo Colombia		`985`	Colombia		Freighter
Longtail Aviation			Bermuda		Freighter
LOT Cargo	`LO`	`080`	Poland	`WAW`	Passenger + Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo	`LH`	`020`	Germany	`FCO`	Freighter
Maersk Air Cargo	`DJ`	`763`	Denmark	`BLL`	Freighter
Magma Aviation			United Kingdom	`LGG`	Passenger + Cargo
Martinair Cargo	`MP`	`129`	Netherlands	`AMS`	Freighter
Martinaire			United States		Freighter
MAS Air Cargo	`M7`	`865`	Mexico	`NLU`	Freighter
MASkargo	`MH`	`232`	Malaysia	`KUL`	Freighter
Middle East Airlines Cargo	`ME`	`076`	Lebanon	`BEY`	Passenger + Cargo
MNG Airlines	`MB`	`716`	Türkiye	`IST`	Freighter
Morningstar Air Express			Canada	`YEG`	Freighter
Mountain Air Cargo			United States		Freighter
MSC Air Cargo	`CP`	`233`	Italy	`MXP`	Freighter
My Freighter Airlines			Uzbekistan		Freighter
My Indo Airlines	`3Y`	`585`	Indonesia	`CGK`	Freighter
National Airlines	`N8`	`416`	United States		Freighter
Nippon Cargo Airlines	`KZ`	`933`	Japan	`NRT`	Freighter
Nolinor Aviation			Canada	`YMX`	Freighter
Northern Air Cargo	`NC`	`345`	United States	`ANC`	Freighter
Oman Air Cargo	`WY`	`910`	Oman	`MCT`	Passenger + Cargo
One Air			United Kingdom	`EMA`	Freighter
PAL Cargo	`PR`	`079`	Philippines	`DVO`	Passenger + Cargo
Pegasus Cargo	`PC`		Türkiye	`SAW`	Passenger + Cargo
Polar Air Cargo	`PO`	`403`	United States	`ANC`	Freighter
Poste Air Cargo	`M4`		Italy	`FCO`	Freighter
Qantas Freight	`QF`	`081`	Australia	`SYD`	Freighter
Qatar Airways Cargo	`QR`	`157`	Qatar	`DOH`	Freighter
Quikjet Cargo Airlines	`QO`		India	`HYD`	Freighter
Raya Airways	`TH`	`539`	Malaysia	`KUL`	Freighter
Riyadh Air Cargo	`RX`		Saudi Arabia	`RUH`	Passenger + Cargo
Royal Air Maroc Cargo	`AT`	`147`	Morocco	`CMN`	Freighter
Royal Jordanian Cargo	`RJ`	`512`	Jordan	`AMM`	Freighter
Rubystar Airways			Belarus	`MSQ`	Freighter
RwandAir Cargo	`WB`	`459`	Rwanda	`KGL`	Freighter
Safair Operations			South Africa	`JNB`	Passenger + Cargo
SAS Cargo	`SK`	`117`	Denmark	`OSL`	Passenger + Cargo
Saudia Cargo	`SV`	`065`	Saudi Arabia	`DXB`	Freighter
SF Airlines	`O3`	`921`	China	`PEK`	Freighter
Silk Way Airlines			Azerbaijan	`GYD`	Freighter
Silk Way West Airlines	`7L`	`501`	Azerbaijan	`GYD`	Freighter
Singapore Airlines Cargo	`SQ`	`618`	Singapore	`SIN`	Freighter
Sky Gates Airlines			Russia	`ZIA`	Freighter
Sky Lease Cargo	`GG`	`576`	United States		Freighter
SkyTaxi			Poland	`WRO`	Freighter
SmartLynx Airlines Malta			Malta	`LEJ`	Freighter
Solenta Aviation			South Africa	`JNB`	Freighter
Solinair			Slovenia	`LJU`	Freighter
South African Airways Cargo	`SA`	`083`	South Africa	`JNB`	Passenger + Cargo
Southwest Airlines Cargo	`WN`	`526`	United States		Passenger + Cargo
SpiceXpress			India	`DEL`	Freighter
SprintAir			Poland	`WAW`	Freighter
SriLankan Cargo	`UL`	`603`	Sri Lanka	`CMB`	Passenger + Cargo
STARLUX Cargo	`JX`	`189`	Taiwan		Passenger + Cargo
Suparna Airlines	`Y8`	`871`	China	`PVG`	Freighter
Swiftair	`WT`	`221`	Spain	`MAD`	Freighter
Swiss WorldCargo	`LX`	`724`	Switzerland	`GVA`	Passenger + Cargo
TAP Air Cargo	`TP`	`047`	Portugal	`LIS`	Passenger + Cargo
Texel Air			Bahrain	`BAH`	Passenger + Cargo
THAI Cargo	`TG`	`217`	Thailand		Passenger + Cargo
Titan Airways	`ZT`		United Kingdom	`STN`	Freighter
Transcarga International Airways			Venezuela		Freighter
Tunisair Cargo			Tunisia		Passenger + Cargo
Turkish Cargo	`TK`	`235`	Türkiye	`IST`	Freighter
Turkmenistan Airlines	`T5`	`542`	Turkmenistan	`ASB`	Freighter
Uganda Airlines Cargo	`UR`	`109`	Uganda	`EBB`	Passenger + Cargo
ULS Airlines Cargo	`GO`	`444`	Türkiye	`IST`	Freighter
United Cargo	`UA`	`016`	United States	`GUM`	Passenger + Cargo
UPS Airlines	`5X`	`406`	United States		Integrator
USA Jet Airlines			United States		Freighter
Uzbekistan Airways Cargo	`HY`	`250`	Uzbekistan	`TAS`	Passenger + Cargo
Vietjet Air Cargo	`VJ`	`978`	Vietnam	`HAN`	Passenger + Cargo
Vietnam Airlines Cargo	`VN`	`738`	Vietnam	`SGN`	Passenger + Cargo
Virgin Atlantic Cargo	`VS`	`932`	United Kingdom	`LHR`	Passenger + Cargo
Volga-Dnepr Airlines	`VI`	`412`	Russia	`ULY`	Freighter
Wamos Air	`EB`	`460`	Spain		Passenger + Cargo
West Atlantic Sweden			Sweden		Freighter
Western Global Airlines	`KD`		United States	`BYH`	Freighter
WestJet Cargo			Canada	`YYC`	Passenger + Cargo
YTO Cargo Airlines	`YG`	`860`	China	`HGH`	Freighter

21 Air

United States

Airline IATA Codes & AWB Prefixes

How to read an AWB number?

Legend

Further Information

AWB & Documents

Airport Finder

Rates & Chargeable Weight

Frequently Asked Questions

Latest air freight news

Air freight topics