Charter Flights & Full Freighter
Belly Cargo vs. Full Freighter, charter types (Ad-hoc, ACMI, Time Charter), all cargo aircraft types with capacities and the complete broker process.
Belly Cargo vs. Full Freighter
Cargo in the lower deck of passenger aircraft
Advantages
Disadvantages
Dedicated cargo aircraft (no passengers)
Advantages
Disadvantages
Charter Types Overview
Ad-hoc Charter
One-time, short noticeShort-notice single flight. Lead time 1–5 days. Flexible route and destination.
ACMI (Wet Lease)
1–6 monthsAircraft with crew, maintenance and insurance. Lessee bears fuel and fees.
Time Charter
Weeks to monthsAircraft hired for fixed period. More flexible use than ACMI, lower rate.
Dry Lease
2+ yearsAircraft only without crew/maintenance. Lessee provides own crew and maintenance. For airline operations.
Cargo Aircraft Types & Capacities
Boeing 747-8F
4 engines
Boeing 747-400F
4 engines
Boeing 777F
2 engines
Airbus A330F
2 engines
MD-11F
3 engines
Antonov AN-124
4 engines
Boeing 737F
2 engines
When Is Charter the Right Choice?
Quantity / Weight
- From approx. 30–50 tonnes per destination
- When spot rates exceed charter rate
- For large, time-critical shipments
Goods type
- Oversized goods (> 6m): nose door required
- Heavy cargo: industrial machinery, turbines
- Live animals (IATA LAR)
- Artworks, antiques, valuables
Destination
- No regular air freight connection
- Crisis area or remote location
- Time window only achievable via charter
Situation
- Disaster relief / humanitarian goods
- Trade fair goods with fixed setup date
- Military transports
- Epidemic/pandemic deliveries
Charter Booking Process – 7 Steps
Request to broker
Shipment data: weight, volume, goods type, departure, destination, date. Specify dangerous goods, special cargo.
Obtain offers
Broker contacts airlines (1–24h). Comparison: price, route, aircraft type.
Negotiation & Charter Party
Price negotiation. Sign charter party contract. Pay deposit.
Flight planning
Airline requests slots, overflight rights, permits. Route planning (1–5 days).
Shipment preparation
AWB, commercial invoice, packing list, customs documents, dangerous goods papers.
Loading and departure
Cargo checked in at terminal. Weight and balance check. Departure.
Arrival & delivery
Unloading. Customs clearance. Pay remaining balance. Delivery to consignee.
Charter Costs – Benchmarks 2026
Charter prices vary greatly by aircraft type, route, market conditions and timing. The following values are rough benchmarks (excl. fuel, handling, customs).