When speed outweighs cost, goods leave the ground. Air freight is the transportation of cargo by aircraft, chosen for time-sensitive or high-value shipments that cannot wait for slower surface modes.

Airlines and specialized cargo carriers move everything from pharmaceuticals and electronics to fashion samples and emergency parts. Shipments travel in the holds of passenger flights or on dedicated freighters. Rates reflect weight, volume, and urgency, and they remain substantially higher than ocean or road alternatives.

Customs clearance, temperature control, and security screening add layers of complexity. Forwarders often consolidate smaller consignments to improve aircraft utilization. For perishables and critical spares, the premium paid for air freight can protect far larger downstream revenues.

• Cargo movement by aircraft
• Preferred for speed and high-value goods
• Uses passenger belly space or dedicated freighters
• Higher cost than surface transport