Air Freight — When Time Is Critical
Air freight is the fastest way to move goods around the world. It is particularly suitable for time-critical shipments, high-value cargo, and situations where an unexpected delay has occurred in the supply chain. Freight forwarding means you don't have to deal with each link in the chain separately.
When to choose air freight
- When goods need to be delivered in days, not weeks
- For high-value cargo where the cost of inventory exceeds the freight cost
- When a disruption in production or sales requires a quick solution
- When the cargo is perishable
How fast is it, really?
Air freight is the fastest mode of transport, but the transit time is not the same as the flight time. The entire chain includes cargo collection, security screening, waiting for a flight schedule, customs clearance, and final delivery.
This is why we don't promise specific day counts on our website — it all depends on the route, schedule, and customs. For any specific inquiry, we will give you a realistic timeframe and also tell you what is most likely to affect it.
What is usually shipped by air
- Spare parts and equipment components whose absence would halt production
- Electronics and high-value technology
- Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and laboratory samples
- Product samples, prototypes, and trade fair materials
- Seasonal goods and fashion with a short sales window
How the price is calculated
The price of air freight is calculated based on the greater of two values: actual weight or volumetric weight. Volumetric weight (also known as chargeable weight) is calculated by dividing the shipment's volume by a conventional factor. This means that light but bulky cargo is charged by its volume, not its weight.
The price is also affected by the route and the number of transshipments, fuel and security surcharges, the nature of the goods (dangerous goods, temperature-sensitive cargo), and the required speed. The fastest schedule is not always necessary — often, flexibility of just one day can lead to significant savings.
We can provide a specific calculation if you send us the dimensions, weight, and the origin and destination. If you wish, we can also compare it with rail and sea freight so you can see if the speed is worth the extra cost.
What we arrange
- Booking air freight space on the most suitable route
- Arranging transport of the cargo to the airport and from the airport to the destination
- Issuing the Air Waybill (AWB) and other transport documents
- Handling import and export customs clearance
- Handling dangerous goods (DGR) by agreement
Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive is air freight than sea freight?
Air freight is significantly more expensive per kilogram, but it is faster. For small and valuable shipments, the difference is smaller than it might seem at first glance — especially when you factor in the cost of inventory and working capital. We can calculate both options for you.
Do you also arrange door-to-door transport?
Yes. We arrange the collection of goods from the loading point, the air freight, customs clearance, and delivery to the final destination — you will communicate with a single point of contact.
Can you handle dangerous goods?
Yes, by agreement and in accordance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Please provide the UN number and class of the goods in your inquiry, and we will check the options and requirements.
See also: sea freight · air freight · rail freight · customs clearance · warehousing
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Describe your shipment and we will prepare a specific quote for you – generally within one business day.