What is air cargo?
According to the Airports Council, air cargo or air freight describes all types of items transported by an air carrier, except mail and most passenger luggage. It can be carried by dedicated air freighters or in the belly of passenger aircrafts.
Before the invention of the airplane, air cargo was sometimes transported by balloons and airships. But in 1910 Philip Parmalee flew a Wright Brothers plane carrying 70 pounds of fabric across Ohio to make the first commercial cargo delivery by an airplane.
Now, air freight is an essential part of the global supply chain, seamlessly transporting goods such as wine across the world.
One way of analyzing international trade is by looking at the weight of commodities sent around the world. In these terms, air cargo makes up just 1% of the total. However, as most goods shipped this way are high in value, it actually makes up 35% of the value of world trade and totals US$6 trillion. The air cargo market is expected to show an annual growth rate of 4% over the next two decades.
Air cargo might be your perfect solution when it comes to high-value or time-sensitive wine shipments, but it can seem like a complex task.
Freight forwarders such as Hillebrand Gori act as intermediaries between importers, exporters and carriers. We can streamline and manage the transport process, organize customs paperwork and regulatory compliance.
Why is air cargo useful for wine importing?
Air cargo helps the international wine trade grow. It opens up new markets that are maybe not easily accessible by sea, and allows importers to offer customers a diverse range of wines from almost anywhere in the world.
Sending wine as air cargo means faster and safer, deliveries compared to other modes of transport.
With planes flying at around 900 km per hour, air cargo is the transport mode with the shortest lead time possible once in the air, and with frequent flights, it’s also extremely reliable. The speed and reach of air travel means wine can reach thousands of airports around the world in less than 24 hours. What’s more, while other modes of transport can be delayed and shipments damaged by bad weather, airplanes can be easily diverted to calmer routes and still arrive on time.
Sending your wines as air cargo is also the safest option. Airports are highly secure environments where the risk of theft is low and with direct flight services your drinks will experience minimal handling, reducing the risk of damage.
When it comes to high-value or fragile cargo such as wine, air cargo services can provide careful handling, protective packaging, and extra security protocols including surveillance and secure storage.
As wine is sensitive to thermal shock and humidity, freight forwarders and carriers also offer insulated pallet covers or temperature-controlled containers that meet the IATA’s Temperature Control Regulations (TCR) and can ensure that your wine will be delivered in the best possible condition.
You would be forgiven for thinking that the capacity of air cargo can’t match that of sea freight. But you can move very large quantities of wine by air. Air freighters can carry up to 110 tonnes and can even carry other planes! At Hillebrand Gori, we have moved as much as 160 tons of wine and spirits from France to New York in a single week.
Although it’s true that air cargo is not the most environmentally friendly mode of transport, the industry is addressing this concern.
Airlines and the IATA are working on various solutions to mitigate 1.8 gigatons of carbon and reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Meanwhile, Hillebrand Gori’s parent company DHL has introduced the GoGreen Plus service option for air cargo. With GoGreen Plus you can reduce, or ‘inset’, the carbon emissions generated by your wine shipment with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). You can choose how much SAF is used and how much you want to lower the CO2e.
As part of DHL Global Forwarding, we have the resources and expertise to provide a safe and reliable service from any location, thanks to our priority delivery services.
We also offer:
- A door-to-door service tailored to your specific needs.
- Insurance options to protect your wine from loss, damage or delays between pickup and final delivery.
- Temperature-controlled solutions to ensure your wine arrives in the best possible condition.
- Customs expertise to get your shipments cleared on schedule.
- Online visibility via your myHillebrandGori account where you can track your quotes, shipments, invoices and inventory.
Hillebrand Gori is an IATA-approved freight forwarder and we work with trusted airline carriers to quickly and safely move any quantity of wine from a single bottle to a full air freighter.
All of this makes Hillebrand Gori’s air cargo service the best option for high-value, perishable, or time-sensitive wine orders and now is the perfect time to take advantage of it. Contact us for advice or a quote today.
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