Types of air cargo transfer

Types of air cargo transfer

Air cargo transfer is divided into three parts

1.       Airport to airport cargo transfer

2.       Door to airport or airport to door cargo transfer

3.       Door to door cargo transfer

Airport to airport cargo transfer

Airport to airport cargo transfer involves delivery of cargo from source airport to destination airport. Airlines normally are involved in airport to airport cargo transfer.

Types of cargo transferred: Machinery equipment, garments, perishable goods, etc

Door to airport or airport to door cargo transfer

Door to airport cargo transfer involves delivery of cargo from origin shipper to destination airport, from where it is carried by freight forwarders or local courier companies. Airport to door transfer involves cargo lifted from source airport and delivered to end customer at his door step. This type of air cargo transfer involves intermediaries like freight forwarding agents and local courier companies.

Types of cargo transferred: Electronic goods, perishable goods, bulk documents, etc

Door to door cargo transfer

Door to door cargo transfer involves delivery of cargo from door steps of origin shipper to door steps of end customer. Door to door air cargo transfer is performed by integrated courier companies. It involves intermediaries like freight forwarding agents, local courier companies for local cargo transfer.

Types of cargo transferred: Paper, legal documents, mail services etc

Flow of domestic air cargo

Shipper to origin freight station

Integrated and local courier companies and their franchises collect mail, parcels and other products from shipper at its door step. Cargo is then carried by these courier companies from shipper and collected at origin freight station.

Time required for this operation: 1-2 hours

Origin freight station to collection hub

Freight forwarders along with integrated courier companies and local courier companies are involved in transfer of cargo from origin freight station to collection hub.

Time required for this operation: 1-2 hours

Collection hub to cargo terminal

Cargo from various freight stations is collected at hub centre of courier companies. Cargo is divided into different zones depending on their delivery destination. The cargo is carried 4-6 hours before the departure of an aircraft from hub collection centre to cargo terminal. Airline cargo companies along with integrated courier companies and freight forwarders are involved in air cargo transfer from hub collection centre to cargo terminal  at origin airport.

Time required for this operation:  3-4 hours

Cargo terminal to loading of cargo in aircraft

Ground handling companies are involved in loading and unloading of cargo at the airport terminals. Air cargo is screened either manually or through electronic process before loading on to the aircraft. 

Time required for this operation:  1-2 hours

Airport to airport cargo travel

Integrated courier companies having dedicated freighter fleet and airlines are involved in airport to airport transfer of cargo from origin airport to destination airport.

Time required for this operation:  1-2:30 hours

Similar process flow is involved from destination airport to end user.

·         Turn around time for end-to-end domestic air cargo operations: 13-22:50 hours

·         Integrated courier companies in domestic operation: Blue Dart, etc

·         Local courier companies involved in freight transfer: Overnite, Professional couriers, etc

·         Airline cargo companies: Jet Cargo, Kingfisher Cargo, etc

·         Ground handling companies: Menzies Aviation, SATS, etc

Flow of international air cargo

Shipper to origin freight station

Integrated and local courier companies and their franchises collect mail, parcels and other products from shipper at their door step. Cargo is then carried by these courier companies from shipper and collected at origin freight station. Indian courier companies have tie-ups with global integrated courier companies to carry out international operations. 

Time required for this operation: 1-2 hours

Origin freight station to collection hub

Freight forwarders along with integrated courier companies and local courier companies are involved in transfer operations from origin freight station to collection hub.

Time required for this operation: 1-2 hours

Collection hub to export custom

Cargo from various freight station is collected at hub centre of global integrated courier companies. Air cargo is divided into different zones depending on their delivery destination. Cargo is carried 10-12 hours before departure of an aircraft. Airline cargo companies along with integrated courier companies and freight forwarders are involved in air cargo transfer from hub collection centre to export custom terminal  at origin airport.

Time required for this operation:  3-4 hours

Export customs to cargo terminal

Air cargo is screened either manually or through electronic process. There are separate export and import clearance house at airports. Screening operations for both export and import cargo at Indian airports are time consuming.

Time required for this operations: 9-10 hours

                                 

Cargo terminal to loading of cargo in aircraft

Ground handling companies are involved in loading and unloading of cargo at the airport terminals.

Time required for this operation:  1-2 hours

Airport to airport cargo travel

Global integrated courier companies having dedicated freighter fleet and airlines, both international and domestic are involved in airport to airport transfer of cargo from origin to destination airport. The time required varies depending on distance and route followed by airlines and air cargo companies.

Time required for this operation:  10-20 hours