Air freight: when cargo takes flight, every detail counts

TUESDAY, 1 JULY 2025

Passenger or cargo flights? Dimensions, safety rules and planning: how to manage every detail of an import-export air shipment.

Air freight is a crucial logistics solution for import-export companies, delivering speed and reliability in moving goods on a global scale. Yet the success of these operations depends on carefully managing every detail: from choosing the type of flight to complying with safety regulations, right down to the accuracy of the information provided. This article explores the dynamics of air freight, focusing on the differences between passenger and cargo flights, the importance of cargo dimensions and the practices for effective planning.

Passenger or cargo flights: which to choose?

Air shipments stand out for their speed, but the choice between passenger and cargo flights is fundamental. Passenger flights, operated by commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or the Boeing 737, carry goods in the hold alongside luggage, offering an economical option for standard-sized loads. However, capacity is limited, with a maximum height of about 160 cm, making this solution unsuitable for bulky goods. Cargo flights, carried out by dedicated aircraft such as the Boeing 747 Freighter, are designed for heavy and oversized loads, with dimensions that can reach 317 × 241 × 297 cm on some routes. This greater capacity comes with higher costs and reduced availability, since not all routes offer cargo flights.

The impact of cargo dimensions

The dimensions of the goods, in particular their height, determine which type of flight to use. For packages exceeding 160 cm, cargo flights are the only viable option, with implications for costs, destinations and timing. Providing precise dimensions during the quotation stage is essential to avoid surprises, such as the load being refused or additional costs.

Safety regulations: a fundamental pillar

Safety is at the heart of air freight, with strict regulations to protect flights, cargo and passengers. On passenger flights, every package undergoes a full screening to detect explosives and threats. Cargo flights may require specific measures for bulky loads, such as adding 30×30 cm windows to the packaging to allow inspections with dogs as an alternative to X-rays. These technical requirements, if not met, can cause costly delays: clear communication with freight forwarders is crucial to ensure compliance.

Strategies for effective planning

Strategic planning is essential to optimise air shipments, balancing speed, cost and compliance. Some key practices:

• Accuracy of information: communicate exact dimensions and final destination to obtain accurate quotes and choose the appropriate flight.
• Working with experts: rely on qualified freight forwarders to navigate complex regulations and identify the most suitable service.
• Weighing priorities: decide whether to favour an economical passenger flight or a dedicated cargo flight based on specific needs.

Working with experienced logistics partners makes it possible to anticipate safety requirements and check the availability of cargo flights for less-served destinations. Planning ahead also allows alternatives to be considered, such as sea freight, for less urgent loads, optimising the budget.

With La Merce, organising an air shipment means choosing between passenger and cargo flights knowing what each implies for dimensions, dangerous goods and delivery times: that choice is made before packing, not at the acceptance desk.

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