The emergence of COVID-19 changed many things in the world of business, and transporting cargo is no exception. With typical operations interrupted, the aviation industry needed to adapt fast with air charter so that supply chains can continue moving even amidst the global crisis.
Since the entire pandemic exploded in 2020, air cargo charters expanded from serving niche markets to playing the role of an unsung hero in aid and relief.
Even as the aviation industry still struggles to recover from the effects of the pandemic, air charter continues to prove its usefulness not only for businesses but also society in general.
This article summarizes the top five benefits of using air charter for cargo and the products and industries that need it the most.
Top 5 Benefits of Air Cargo Charters
Air cargo charters offer many advantages over traditional commercial freight, but some of the more important ones are listed below:
1. Reliability
The first and most crucial advantage of air cargo charters is reliability.
Because they are catering to specific markets, charter brokers always find ways to overcome unique challenges and mitigate risks so that their clients can rest easy knowing that their cargo is handled efficiently.
Besides planning for the weather and other factors that may affect transport, they also develop backup plans to overcome any potential issue that may arise.
With charter managers and specialists working behind the scenes and coordinating every stage of cargo transport, you are assured that the operations will be smooth sailing.
2. Speed and remote area servicing
One of the primary purposes of air charter services is to fill the gaps in air transport, be it in bringing passengers or cargo from point A to point B.
For commercial air freight, flights to different destinations happen regularly, which means companies need to book the transport of their goods ahead. However, this kind of arrangement may fail in the face of interruption of shipments.
A scheduled flight can get delayed or canceled, affecting the arrival of critical production parts or products.
Accessibility to areas away from major destinations and airports could also be an issue. Such delays can also be expensive for companies handling perishable goods.
Air cargo charters offer a viable solution to all this.
Since they operate under a unique set of guidelines, these private aircraft can fly you and your cargo even to the most isolated areas in the world in the shortest possible time. This means you won’t have to worry about delays hindering the transport of your high-value, perishable goods.
3. Specialized transport
Charter flights are also better equipped to handle specialized cargo or items that require specific equipment or containers.
Besides transporting a patient on life support or someone involved in emergency medical situations, air ambulance and specialized cargo charters are also the best option when moving organs for transplant and other biological specimens from one point to another.
4. Manageability
Air charter can handle even the most urgent, complex, and critical deliveries – that is what the COVID-19 pandemic has proven. In fact, this alternative cargo service can be considered a valuable transport solution for time-critical and highly sensitive items.
Using air cargo charters, you can have even those with temperature-controlled and highly regulated specifications (like COVID-19 test kits for example) shipped with ease.
Whether it’s conducting hourly temperature checks or using temperature-regulated containers, these cargo transport options can provide everything you’ll ever need.
5. Better security and safety
Air shipping also offers high-level security because of the safety and control implemented for cargo flights. Thanks to tight security policies in the airport, the cargo’s exposure to damage and theft is minimized.
This is even more so with private cargo charters, where everything is monitored and controlled by a highly skilled and experienced charter manager.
5 Products and Industries That Benefit from Air Cargo Charter
From very important people to very important items, private air cargo charters offer better transport alternatives for your business.
Below are five products and industries that benefit most from cargo charter:
1. Perishable Goods
Whether packaged, frozen, partially processed, or even fresh, foods are considered one of the most challenging products to transport across the world. This is primarily because of their short shelf life and the high chance of spoilage while in transit.
Unlike other products, spending several months onboard a vessel while waiting for port-to-port transfer wouldn’t work for food items. It is one of several goods that needs to arrive at its destination as quickly as possible.
This is the primary reason most food exports and imports are done through air cargo.
2. Live Animals
Unlike non-living things, live animals – whether livestock or pets – require a certain level of respect and dignity during transport across the country or overseas. This makes them perfect candidates for air cargo travel as well.
Shipping animals calls for a number of things, including safe and secure accommodation, health certifications, and enough provisions to last the entire trip. Countermeasures also need to be undertaken to make sure that these creatures aren’t subjected to low temperatures in the cargo hold.
3. Aid and Relief
In humanitarian efforts, logistics and transport should be carefully integrated and custom-designed into the operation’s specific requirements.
That said, efficient, effective, and speedy delivery of supplies and aid to those who need it could be a complex matter.
During these situations, aid cargo charters are often the only means of access to remote places and the sole transport option to reach those in need. Like air ambulances, these serve a life-saving purpose, particularly with isolated populations and underdeveloped areas where accessibility is virtually nonexistent.
4. Medical Equipment and Specimens
Besides transporting a patient on life support, air ambulance and specialized cargo charters are also the best options when it comes to organs for transplant and other biological specimens.
Other devices and equipment with specific packaging and transport requirements, like the COVID-19 test kits mentioned earlier, can also be transported via air cargo charter.
5. High Value and Fragile Items
Moving art and other fragile and high-value items is never as simple as it seems. Besides safe packaging, you’ll need to consider how it will be handled during transport.
Shipping these precious items can be tricky, even with air freight. With private air cargo, special arrangements can be made to ensure that your investment is safe and secure.
Air Cargo to the Rescue
Whether it’s a health emergency, a natural disaster, or the transport of highly critical goods, air cargo charter offers a valuable solution to your shipping needs.
Consider the top benefits listed here and decide whether air charter cargo is the best choice for your business.