Standard Air Freight
For shipments where timing matters without requiring immediate delivery.
Transportation Services / Air Freight
International Air Freight
When time is part of the shipment's value.
Air freight is not simply about choosing the fastest flight. Commodity type, dimensions, chargeable weight, capacity, airports, documents, and the actual delivery deadline must all be coordinated in one plan. This service is for commercial and industrial cargo; we do not offer postal, courier, envelope or personal-document delivery.
Service Levels
Six solutions, matched to timing and scope.
Priority Service
For time-sensitive cargo with priority acceptance and departure planning.
Air Consolidation
Scheduled consolidation for smaller commercial cargo shipments with flexible delivery times.
Time-Critical Freight
For production-line stoppages, emergency parts, or immovable project deadlines.
Airport to Airport
Focused on the flight leg, with origin and destination responsibilities clearly defined.
Door to Door
Combining commercial cargo pickup, terminal handling, flight, formalities, and final cargo delivery in one chain.
Chargeable Weight
Scale weight is not the only factor.
In air freight, the space occupied by a shipment also affects the rate. Actual weight is compared with volumetric weight, and the higher figure is usually used as the chargeable weight.
- Actual Weight
- The weight recorded on the scale
- Volumetric Weight
- A calculated weight based on package dimensions
Common Air Freight Formula
Length × Width × Height÷6000
Length, width, and height in centimetresExample
A package measuring 120 × 80 × 60 cm
120 × 80 × 60 ÷ 6000= 96 kg
Actual Weight70 kg
Volumetric Weight96 kg
Chargeable Weight96 kg
Because the volumetric weight of 96 kg exceeds the actual weight of 70 kg, this shipment would normally be rated at 96 kg.
If the same package actually weighed 120 kg, the higher figure—120 kg—would become the chargeable weight.
Service Scope & Execution Flow
Responsibility must be clear before booking.
- 01
Origin Door
Pickup and transfer to the terminal
- 02
Origin Airport
Acceptance, documentation, and security screening
- 03
Flight Route
Booking, direct flight, or transit connection
- 04
Destination Airport
Unloading, status updates, and destination handling
- 05
Destination Door
Formalities and final delivery
Operations Guide
Choose a topic.
The page's specialist information is organized into four concise groups without omitting any core subject.
ACCEPTANCE / 01
Cargo acceptance begins with an accurate commodity description.
Commodity type, time sensitivity, and acceptance conditions must be assessed together before selecting a service. Official IATA cargo operations resources
Which shipments are best suited to air freight?
Emergency spare parts and industrial components where delays create operational costs.
Valuable equipment, commercial samples, and shipments requiring tight control and short transit times.
Shipments whose rapid delivery affects a project schedule or prevents an operational shutdown.
For bulky, low-value, or non-urgent cargo, comparison with ocean, road, or multimodal transport is essential.
Four checks determine terminal acceptance.
- 01Package DetailsWeight, quantity, and dimensions
- 02PackagingStrength and handling suitability
- 03Documents & SecurityDocument checks and security requirements
- 04Flight AcceptanceFinal match with the selected service
General Cargo
Shipments with standard acceptance, packaging, and handling requirements.
Special Cargo
Temperature-controlled, perishable, valuable, sensitive, oversized, or heavy cargo requiring additional controls and equipment.
Dangerous Goods & Battery File
- Substance type and UN number
- Hazard class and packaging type
- MSDS and battery status
- Installation method and watt-hour rating
- UN 38.3 test summary, when required
ROUTE & CAPACITY / 02
The shortest route is not always the fastest door-to-door chain.
Capacity, acceptance cut-off times, and flight schedules can all change the most practical route.
Direct or connecting?
Direct Flight
Fewer transfers and a simpler route, subject to suitable capacity and schedules.
Connecting Service
On some dates, a connection is more practical because of capacity or acceptance cut-off times.
Aircraft type determines the shipment's actual limits.
Passenger Aircraft
Cargo is limited by hold dimensions, loading-door size, weight, and package dimensions.
Freighter Aircraft
Better suited to larger or heavier cargo, subject to confirmed capacity and airport capability.
ULD / LOAD FORMAT
Load configuration changes usable capacity.
A ULD is a standard aircraft loading unit. Package dimensions, loading orientation, and whether cargo is stackable directly affect capacity and price.
DOCUMENTS & RATE / 03
An accurate rate begins with accurate data.
Every quotation must be read alongside its input details, service scope, and transport documents.
Rate Enquiry File
- Pickup location and origin and destination airports
- Commodity description and number of packages
- Weight and dimensions of each package
- Packaging and stackability
- Ready date and required delivery time
- Incoterms and HS code
- Dangerous-goods, battery, or temperature-control status
- Available documents and photos
AIR FREIGHT / RATE SHEET
A rate per kilogram is not enough on its own.Cost Components
- 01
Chargeable weight
WEIGHT - 02
Route and available capacity
ROUTE - 03
Service level and aircraft type
SERVICE - 04
Cargo characteristics and conditions
CARGO - 05
Terminal handling and security screening
TERMINAL - 06
Pickup, delivery, and storage
LOCAL
Air Waybill Structure
Records the shipment's key details and transport route.
The master air waybill issued for the airline movement.
The house air waybill issued for the customer's shipment.
The electronic air waybill process.
TRACKING & DELIVERY / 04
Flight time is only one part of total delivery time.
Shipment progress is measured against real events across the transport chain.
The air freight journey, from cargo details to final delivery
Each stage produces a clear input for the next decision.
- 01Receive Cargo Details
- 02Assess Acceptance
- 03Select Service Level
- 04Select Route
- 05Quote & Book
- 06Pick Up Cargo
- 07Enter the Terminal
- 08Verify Weight & Documents
- 09Complete Security Screening
- 10Accept the Shipment
- 11Prepare for Loading
- 12Fly
- 13Complete Destination Operations
- 14Clear & Deliver
Key Tracking Milestones
Pre-Dispatch Check
- Accurate weight and dimensions
- Actual required delivery time
- Correct commodity description
- Battery status
- Stackability
- Packaging quality
- Suitability of the selected airport
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common air freight questions.
How is volumetric weight calculated? +
A common formula multiplies length, width, and height in centimetres, then divides the result by 6000. The applicable divisor and final chargeable weight must be confirmed in the actual quotation.
Why are the dimensions of every package required? +
Dimensions directly affect volumetric weight, stackability, and whether each package can be accepted on the aircraft.
What is air consolidation? +
Several shipments are combined under one planned service. It can be more economical, provided the schedule matches the cargo's delivery requirements.
What is a freighter aircraft? +
An aircraft designed or dedicated to carrying cargo, often with more suitable capacity for oversized, heavy, or special shipments.
What is a ULD? +
A Unit Load Device is an aircraft pallet or container used to consolidate, secure, and safely load cargo.
What does non-stackable mean? +
It means no other cargo can be placed on top of the package, which can increase the space occupied and affect the rate.
Can every commodity move by air? +
No. Some goods are prohibited, restricted, or subject to specific regulations, packaging, documents, and approvals.
What battery information is required? +
Declare the battery type, whether it is installed in equipment, capacity, quantity, UN number, and all available technical documents.
What is UN 38.3? +
For many regulated batteries, a UN 38.3 test summary forms part of the transport-document review.
Is an MSDS enough for dangerous goods? +
No. Required documents depend on the commodity and applicable regulations, and additional supporting documents may be necessary.
What is an AWB? +
An air waybill is the primary air transport document recording key shipment and routing information.
What is the difference between an HAWB and MAWB? +
The MAWB covers the main airline movement, while the HAWB is issued by the freight forwarder for the customer's individual shipment.
Can oversized cargo move by air? +
In some cases, yes. The dimensions and weight of each piece, aircraft type, loading-door size, and airport equipment must all be checked.
Is air charter available? +
Full or part charter may be assessed for certain projects. Feasibility depends on the cargo, route, capacity, and required timing.
Air Freight Enquiry / NIKCO.LOG