Air freight is the transportation of cargo by an air carrier. Air freight is incredibly prevalent because it’s much faster than land or sea freight. It’s also a reliable mode of transportation that customers can count on.
Freight Match is the leading provider of freight services that transports items other companies can’t or find too hard. Whether it’s metro, interstate, regional or remote, Freight Match can handle it!
This article will answer the question of “how much does air freight cost?” and all the factors that determine rates such as distance, weight, size, classification and fuel costs.
How Much Does Air Freight Cost?
Costs for air freight are calculated based on the type of cargo being transported. Air freight can range from $2.50-$5.00 per kilogram.
It’s always best to do your research and gather quotes so that you can decide which price best fits the type of freight you’re wanting to ship.
How Is Air Freight Cost Calculated?
Air freight costs are determined either by size or weight. Below is an example from Australia Post of an equation calculating cost.
- A parcel with dimensions 10cm, 105cm and 20cm
- = (10cm + 20cm) x 2
- = 30cm x 2
- = 60cm girth. Within girth limit.
Calculating Costs Based On Size Of Freight
If the size of your freight is increasingly large then you can expect costs to increase. If the freight takes up a considerable amount of space then there won’t be enough room for other deliveries. It doesn’t matter if your goods are lightweight, such inconvenience means that additional trips will have to be made. Given that aircraft are highly expensive to operate and set up for the journey, you’ll be expected to pay more for your freight.
Air Freight Costs Based On Weight
Weight and volume are also factors that determine the cost of air freight. If your freight fits into a higher weight category then the aircraft will be using more fuel along the journey. Especially if it’s an international flight where the aircraft used is exceptionally bigger than a domestic aircraft, you can expect freight costs to increase significantly. Fuel isn’t cheap, especially when there is a constant fluctuation where prices can rise to substantially high rates.
Other Factors Influencing Air Freight Costs
Weight And Volume
If you’re asking yourself ‘how much does air freight cost?’ Then weight and volume are the factors to be considered first. If a shipment is typically large in volume, then it could take up space that could be utilised for more shipments. If you’re transporting furniture and the warehouse packages them in an overly large box then you will be charged for the packaging because of its dimensions. Even if the package is categorically lightweight, it still is taking up a significant amount of space that could’ve been used for other goods.
Distance
Determining air freight costs also depends on where your goods need to be delivered. The further an aircraft has to travel the more fuel is required. Shipping domestically is a cheaper option as a domestic aircraft is a lot smaller than an international aircraft, especially because more fuel is needed for the journey.
Classification
The classification of cargo is another important element that influences air freight rates. If the goods you’re shipping are specifically fragile then they’ll need to be handled with care and packaged according to their requirements. It’s all about categorising what you’re shipping to fit in with safety standards.
Fuel costs
The cost of air freight depends on fuel prices. Because the price of fuel can increase, this makes transportation exceedingly more expensive to operate. However, what goes up must come down, and if the price of fuel decreases then the cost of operation is significantly cheaper. Fuel prices change like the wind and any savings or losses are then handed over to the customer whether it’s indirectly or through a fuel cost component created by either the air freight forwarder or logistics company.
The Benefits Of Air Freight
Speed
Customers wanting their freight shipped as soon as possible can rely on air freight to get the job done. Air freight is the quickest and most convenient mode of transportation and is great for moving goods over great distances. Because of the immense speed of the aircraft, it could take just a few hours to ship your products from one country to another.
Reliability
Air freight is significantly more reliable than land or sea freight. This is because airlines are usually always on schedule with reliable departure and arrival times. Not even a missed flight would cause too much of a delay given a majority of air freight services have daily schedules and hourly departures.
You can also track your product throughout its journey through airline services. You can see the plane carrying your freight and its departure and arrival time. When it comes to land or sea freight, it’s more ambiguous as to where and when your freight will arrive. It’s a less reliable way to transport goods.
Security
If you’re wanting to transport valuable goods then air freight is the best option to ensure your items safety throughout the journey. This is because there is less handling of items during transit and cargo safety rules are enforced at the airport, ultimately lowering the possibility of theft or damage.
How Much Does Air Freight Cost Compared To Road Freight?
Road freight involves goods being transported by large vehicles like trucks. It’s the cheapest mode of transportation and can deliver to destinations that other types of freight shipping can’t such as rural areas. Road freight transports livestock, garbage and food from grocery stores. Whilst it is one of the most cost-effective options, it can take a number of days or weeks before goods are delivered.
Air freight is the best option for customers wanting their goods to be delivered within a certain time frame. This is because airlines are typically on schedule with reliable departure and arrival times. Air freight services have daily schedules and hourly departures so not even a missed flight would cause too much of a delay. However, this type of transportation is the most expensive option given aircraft are expensive to operate.
Choose Freight Match For Air Freight
Choose Freight Match for your air freight requirements! Freight Match is a platform that gives you access to a wide network of freight suppliers. They are a cost-effective solution with competitive freight services that offer quotes best suited to the type of freight you’re wishing to transport.
What sets Freight Match apart from other providers is the types of special delivery services they offer. With 3 hour delivery, same day delivery and VIP delivery, you can expect nothing but quality service and to be taken care of by the most suitable transport operators.
Click here to get a quote or book here for air freight services.