Air freight means ?
- Air freight is another term for air cargo that is, the shipment of goods through an air carrier. Air transport services are the most valuable when it comes to moving express shipments around the globe. Just like the commercial or passenger airlines, air freight flies in the same gateways.
- Air freight on the other hand, means the amount to be paid for the transportation of goods by air. When goods are shipped from one place to the other, the amount paid for the movement of the goods is called freight. Therefore, air freight means the charges paid for air transport.
What kind of Shipments allowed in Air WHAT KIND OF SHIPMENTS ALLOWED IN AIR
When looking at the various types of cargo transported by air, they fall into two main groups: General Cargo and Special Cargo. Special Cargo is then divided up into smaller specialized sub-groups. It is these specialized sub-groups we will take a much closer look at further on.
Various types of Cargo
General Cargo
Special Cargo
General cargo are items that do not fall into the Special Cargo categories and that do not require any extra precautions or special handling during air transport. These types of items are retail and most consumer goods (with the exception of mobile phones, tablets and laptops) , dry goods, hardware, textiles, and more. Think of your average, everyday objects; most of those would fall into the general cargo area.
Special cargo is where things get a little more complicated. Special cargo are goods that, due to their nature, weight, dimensions and/or value, may have specific requirements including packaging, labelling, documentation and handling through the transport chain. The transport of these goods are addressed through specific regulations that must be followed when preparing, offering, accepting and handling this cargo. Items include dangerous goods, live animals, perishable cargo, wet cargo, time and temperature sensitive products among others. To ensure that there are globally harmonized standards that ensures the safe and facilitates of these products, IATA has three Boards: the Dangerous Goods Board (DGB), Time and Temperature Working Group (TTWG), and the Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB), which manage the standards and guidance related to the transport of these products. To learn more about this special cargo, let's break it down.
What to know about shipping dangerous goods
The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual is the global reference for shipping dangerous goods by air and the only standard recognized by airlines. It provides everything needed to classify, prepare, accept and handle dangerous goods shipments in compliance with international air transport regulations. IATA has been publishing the DGR for over 60 years. The DGR is published annually to ensure that the industry has the most up-to-date information regarding the shipping of dangerous goods. IATA works closely with governments, other industry associations and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the development of these regulations. This way, IATA ensures that the regulations for the transport of dangerous goods by air are effective, efficient and internationally accepted to facilitate their transport while putting the safety of all those on board first.
Limitations for shipping dangerous goods
While some dangerous goods are too dangerous for transport by air except under very detailed allowance by the civil aviation authority, many can only be transported on cargo-only aircraft, and others can be transported on both cargo and passenger aircraft. No matter which type of aircraft the dangerous goods are shipped on, there are always specific requirements that must be followed.
While some dangerous goods are too dangerous for transport by air except under very detailed allowance by the civil aviation authority, many can only be transported on cargo-only aircraft, and others can be transported on both cargo and passenger aircraft. No matter which type of aircraft the dangerous goods are shipped on, there are always specific requirements that must be followed.
There are still many other materials that may only be carried under very particular circumstances. These are considered “Dangerous Goods Forbidden Unless Exempted.”
Other everyday items may not seem outwardly dangerous but need to be checked for hazardous components, such as battery-powered devices, breathing apparatus, and dental apparatus. This is why it is important that passenger check-in, cargo reservation, sales, and passenger reservation staff all be provided with appropriate information so that they are well-informed and well-trained on what are dangerous goods.
Classification of Dangerous Goods – Dangerous goods are grouped into nine classes
- Class 1- Explosives
- Class 2- Gasses
- Class 3- Flammable Liquids
- Class 4- Flammable Solids; Substance Liable to Spontaneous Combustion; Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases
- Class 5- Oxidizing Substances and Organic Peroxides
- Class 6- Toxic and Infectious Substances
- Class 7- Radioactive Material
- Class 8- Corrosives
- Class 9- Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, Including Environmentally Hazardous Substances
Several classes are separated into sub-divisions due to the wide scope of the hazards within the class
Identification of dangerous goods
Dangerous goods are assigned to UN numbers and proper shipping names according to their hazard classification and their composition. The identification of dangerous goods is essential for the proper packing and packaging, documentation, acceptance and handling. The IATA DGR lists approximately 3,000 substances and articles commonly shipped by air.