For companies shipping products overseas, ocean and air freight are the only options. And when time is of the essence, ocean is ruled out. So, let’s turn to air freight for answers.
Cargo can be shipped by various means, but you only have two options when it comes to shipping overseas – by ocean or by air. Ocean freight is by far the most used method, accounting for about 90% of global shipping. But if you want something shipped to it destination fast, air shipping is the only way to go. Take a look at shipping times between the U.S. and China, for instance. Ocean freight between these countries can take 20-30 days to arrive. But if it’s shipped by air, that time is cut down to about 3 days. That’s a significant difference that can impact a company’s bottom line when time is an issue.
What goods are transported by air?
According to Reuters, the worth of goods transported by air every year is only 35% of international trade by value. But it’s only representative of 0.5% of total volumes and special requirements of not allowing active transmitters in the cargo. And while this number is relatively small in comparison, that actually represents about $6 trillion. Air freight can include almost anything that can fit on the plain without exceeding weight limits. And a lot of times, it’s urgent cargo. An example would be vaccination supplies and medicine that are urgently needed in a different country. And aside from the need for these to arrive fast for medical reasons, fast shipping also helps preserve cargo conditions. The less time a product spends in transport, the less time it has to deal with the constant variables that affect its usability. Postal parcels and letters are another popular air freight item. In fact, there are 348 billion letters and 7.4 billion postal parcels sent this way every year.
Conclusion
Global air freight is far from dead. It is still a valuable part of the shipping industry. However, many are attempting to revive its numbers and update its processes. But with the need for fast shipping for so many products, air cargo shipping isn’t going anywhere soon.