Air freight is an alternative to sea freight shipments. However, the disadvantages of air freight shipping come at a price that most businesses aren’t aware of. Air freight does have its advantages and disadvantages, which are important to keep in mind before making the decision to use it.

Here’s more information on why you might want to reconsider whether or not airfreight is the right fit for your business.

What is Air freight shipping?

The term is generally used to describe the transportation of commercial goods, as opposed to airmail, which is the transportation of letters and packages via air.

Air freight is one of the most common types of transportation used for international trade. Air freight transportation can be either scheduled or on-demand. Scheduled air freight is when the shipper and the receiver agree ahead of time when the goods will be delivered. This means that one party sets the schedule, and the other party handles the logistics.

The receiver may be the same as the shipper, or the receiver could be a third party that the exporter has chosen as the point of delivery.

The Advantages of Air freight shipping

i. Safety: Supplies and finished products must arrive in perfect condition

ii. Speed: Through multiple transportation channels across the country, seamlessly

iii. Accessibility: With dedicated 24/7/365 customer service and detailed freight tracking information, regardless of the size of your cargo

iv. Convenience: Request shipping via phone or online with easy, straightforward instructions and understandable terms and conditions

v. Economical: Ship your freight without breaking the bottom line by selecting from an extensive suite of services to fit your budget according to Air Freight.

The Disadvantages of Air Freight Shipping

We won’t overmphasize the necessary need to mention the disadvantages of air freight as lot of business owners, agencies and individuals must have rightly considered this medium of freighting as the stop gap and faster alternative, the lapses must be made known to assist in challenges that may/may not occur over the course of transaction.

i. Logistics – Air freight can be more complicated than other types of transportation. At the beginning of a shipment, the exporter may have to deal with the carrier’s logistics while the receiver has to handle the logistics of receiving the shipment. However, once this has been settled, the logistics of receiving the shipment can usually be settled as well.

ii. It is risky– The riskiest mode of transportation is air travel, where even slight mishaps might result in significant losses for the cargo, passengers, and crew. When compared to other forms of transportation, the likelihood of accidents is higher.

iii. It is expensive– Compared to other modes of transportation, air travel is thought to be more expensive. Airplane operation costs are greater and necessitate significant investment in the development of aerodromes and aircraft. This causes the cost of air travel to be so expensive that the average person cannot afford it.

iv. A minimal carrying capacity– Because of their limited carrying capacity, airplanes are unsuitable for transporting heavy and inexpensive products dependent upon the weather. Due to its reliance on weather predictions, air travel is unpredictable. In most circumstances, a flight will be delayed if the weather is iffy.

Which Business Types Benefit From Air Freight Shipping?

Air freight is most commonly used for shipments of commercial goods, such as computers, machine parts, and pharmaceuticals. It’s also used for airmail, and in some cases, airmail shipments are combined with air freight.

Air freight can also be used for shipments of other types of goods, such as precious metals, jewels, and art. In fact, there are companies that specialize in the air freight of art.

Should You Use Air freight Or Try Sea Freight Shipping?

There are pros and cons to using airfreight or sea freight, and the best way to determine which is right for your business is to first assess your own needs and decide which type of freight is right for you.

A company with a very small inventory and a broad geographic reach might decide to airfreight all of its shipments. A company that has larger inventories and operates in only a few states might decide to ship using ocean freight.

There are some factors that can influence your decision, such as the type of goods you’re shipping, how often you need to ship, and how far your goods need to travel.

How to Determine If Air freight Shipping Is Right For You

If you’re still unsure about what type of freighting medium to use, here are a few things to take into consideration;

i. How critical is the shipment?

ii. Does the shipment need to be delivered on the same day?

iii. Is the shipment small enough that sea freight or ocean transportation would be more cost-effective?

iv. Is the shipment far enough that airfreight would be more cost-effective?

Final Thoughts

Air freight is a great option for businesses that require frequent shipments of high-value goods as well as perishable goods and that have the financial resources to cover it. However, it’s important to understand all of its advantages and disadvantages which are important to keep in mind before making a decision on whichever freight suits your needs.