7. AIR CARGO

Air cargo is any property carried or to be carried in an aircraft. Air cargo comprises air freight, air express and airmail.

Aircraft types:

Passenger aircraft uses the spare volume in the airplane’s baggage hold (the “belly”) that is not being used for passenger luggage—a common practice used by passenger airlines, which additionally transport cargo on scheduled passenger flights. Cargo can also be transported in the passenger cabin as hand-carry by an “on-board courier”. This practice can often be used to cross-subsidies loss-making passenger routes that would otherwise be uneconomical to operate.

Cargo aircraft are dedicated for the job—they carry freight on the main deck and in the belly by means of nose-loading or side loading.

Combi aircraft carry cargo on part of the main deck, before or after a passengers’ section, with side loading, and in the belly.

7.1 Air Cargo Process

Shipping:

Assembling the Shipment: Collecting goods for consignee and preparing the packing materials and the packing list. Making RFT (Read for Transport): Label packages clearly. Ordering Transport: Send package to the Freight Forwarder warehouse and leave at storage ready for pick up.

Forwarding Out:

Give POA (Proof of Acceptance) after order received. Incoming check is performed and sorted according to flight dates. Recheck for labelling errors, re-label if required, and make necessary security declarations. Prepare all relevant customs documents and clear for customs. Consolidate all goods according to all regulations of necessity and prepare a master AWB (Air Waybill). Arrange transport to airline and inform receiving end of the incoming package.

Air Transport

At Source (From where goods are shipped)

• Prepare and plan for handling and storage shipments based on confirmed bookings. • Perform incoming and administration checks. • Sort goods and documents. • Perform outgoing and administration checks. • Prepare ULDs (Unit Load Devices) according to specific instructions. • Prepare ramp transport and security checks. • Load onto aircraft and prepare for flight.

At Origin (Destination)

• Once landed prepare for ramp transport of cargo. • Receive ULDs and breakdown ULD according to instructions. • Check incoming shipments against documents. • Prepare for warehouse storage and clear flight manifest. • Load goods onto truck and dispatch.

Forwarding In (At Destination side Freight Forwarder)

Picking up documents once notified by the airline and arranging local pickup of the documents. Preparing customs documents, aiding with clearance and printing the customs release note. Arrange local pick up of the package from the airline. Arrange delivery to consignee with all relevant documentation and receive POD (Proof of Delivery).

Consignment (Consignee)

Receiving shipment –once the shipment is received. It is checked for the number of goods and if any visible damage can be identified. Once cleared, provide a POD. Unpacking goods–unpack goods and thoroughly check for any damages that have occurred during transportation. Check goods with administration –count present goods with the packing list or procurement order to verify any missing items. Arrange for any warranty claims along with payments for transport supplier where necessary. Make arrangements for customs declarations when required. A Customs Declaration is an official document that lists and provides details of goods that are being imported or exported.

7.2 Air Cargo Equipment Slave Dollies provide an economical ULD transfer mechanism where typical warehouse fork-lifts are available. Note that because the fork-lift operator's view past the ULD is very restricted when driving forward, the fork-lift is usually driven backward over long distances.

Slave Pallets are devices that allow fork-lift trucks to lift-and-carry ULDs while properly supporting the fragile container base. A fork-lift truck with appropriate load capacity is required.

Slave Pallets are specifically built for half size ULDs, are compact and only require the lighter capacity fork-lifts for most warehouse operations.

Ball Decks provide a multi-directional transfer medium to allow staff to manually manoeuvre, redirect and reorient ULDs. Small deck areas may be installed as junctions between conveyors and other equipment, while in more extensive installations large Ball Decks act as prime mover, used to manually transfer and manipulate ULDs between an array of interfacing equipment.

Castor Decks provide a high-performance alternative suitable for lighter weight ULDs typical of express operations. Castor Decks fully encapsulate the castors with treaded walkway plate, providing a safe surface on which staff can manipulate the containers.

Manual Roller Conveyor is one of the simple conveying equipment that works on the principle of force of gravity for hauling and moving the packages and boxes.

It requires little friction and is integrated with caster to affect the movement of material from one place to another.

An elevator or lift is a vertical transport vehicle that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building. They are generally powered by electric motors that either drive traction cables and counterweight systems or pump hydraulic fluid to raise a cylindrical piston.

A Dock Leveler is used to bridge the difference in height and distance between the warehouse floor and vehicle in the most efficient way. It is a height-adjustable platform used to ensure a smooth transition between dock and truck which helps prevent forklift accidents that can cause serious injuries and forklift damages. It is usually comprised of a simple metal plate that is raised from a stowed position and then lowered onto the back of the truck.