International air transport involves three core players: airlines, air freight forwarders (air freight forwarders), and cargo terminals (air cargo terminals). These three entities have clear divisions of labor and work closely together to support the entire process, from cargo receipt, transportation, to delivery. None of them is indispensable.
- Airlines: The “Actual Carriers” of International Air Transport and the Core Executors of the Transport Chain
Airlines are the only entities in international air transport that own and operate aircraft and bear the actual transportation responsibility. They are the “transport executors” of the entire transport chain and are the core guarantee for cargo to cross international borders.
Their core roles are concentrated in two aspects: “providing capacity” and “bearing responsibility”:
Providing core capacity and route networks: Airlines, through either owning or leasing aircraft, build a global route network (including direct and transit routes), providing the physical foundation for cargo to “move through the air.” For example, Air China, Lufthansa, and Singapore Airlines all operate fixed international routes, providing an “air transport corridor” for cargo from origin to destination.
Establishing transportation rules and standards: As carriers, airlines clearly define cargo acceptance criteria—for example, which goods are prohibited (flammable and explosive), which are restricted (battery-containing products require separate declarations), and cargo packaging requirements (fragile items require shockproof packaging), ensuring safe and compliant transportation.
Managing space and booking authority: Airlines are responsible for allocating and managing space, typically prioritizing long-term partners or air agents. Individuals or small shippers who book directly often face restrictions. Furthermore, airlines allocate space based on cargo type (general cargo, cold chain cargo, for example, requiring special space with temperature control equipment).
Assuming transportation responsibilities and after-sales service: During transportation, airlines bear primary responsibility for the safety and timeliness of cargo. In the event of flight delays, cargo damage, or loss, claims must be provided to the shipper in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations. In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather or air traffic control, airlines are responsible for adjusting flights and notifying relevant parties.
II. Air Freight Forwarders (Air Freight Agents): The “Comprehensive Service Hub” of International Air Transport and the “Bridge” Between Shippers and Airlines
Air freight agents are not the actual transporters of cargo, but rather “intermediaries and service managers” connecting shippers with airlines, cargo terminals, and other entities. They serve as a “one-stop portal” for shippers to access the air freight chain, acting as “coordinators and problem solvers” throughout the entire process.
Their role focuses on “full-process service and resource integration,” with their core value embodied in “streamlining processes, matching resources, and mitigating risks.”
Matching shippers with the optimal transportation solution: Air freight agents are familiar with the route advantages of major airlines (e.g., a certain airline offers fast European routes, while another offers low prices to Southeast Asia). They select the most suitable airlines and routes based on shippers’ needs (e.g., timeliness, budget, and cargo type). For example, if a shipper has an urgent shipment of electronic components to New York, an air agent can match them directly with a direct flight. If the shipper is looking for cost-effective options, the air agent will recommend a connecting route.
Breaking Down Booking and Resource Barriers: Due to their long-standing partnerships with airlines, air agents enjoy priority booking rights and even reserved space, addressing the pain points of shippers (especially small and medium-sized shippers) who often struggle to book directly with airlines or secure high-priced space. For example, during peak season for cross-border e-commerce sales, when airlines’ bulk cargo capacity is tight, air agents can leverage their partnerships to secure space and ensure on-time shipment.
Full-Process Documentation and Compliance Services: International air freight involves numerous specialized documents (airway bills, commercial invoices, certificates of origin, etc.), and customs policies vary significantly across countries (for example, the EU’s food certification requirements and the US’s electronic product declaration regulations). Air agents can help shippers complete standardized documents and verify compliance, avoiding customs clearance delays and cargo detentions due to document errors or policy non-compliance.
Coordinated full-chain operations and exception handling: Shippers no longer need to manage cargo terminals and security checks themselves – air agents can arrange door-to-door pickup and deliver goods to the terminal. After shipment, real-time tracking of shipment status (loaded, arrived at the port, undergoing customs clearance) is provided. If unexpected issues arise (such as flight cancellations, customs clearance delays, or cargo damage), air agents intervene immediately: coordinating with airlines to reschedule flights, connecting with overseas agents to supplement customs clearance documents, and assisting shippers with claims with airlines or insurance companies, effectively serving as their “dedicated problem solver.”
Extending to the “last mile”: Through overseas partner agencies, air agents can also provide destination customs clearance, customs duties, warehousing, and delivery services, completing a closed-loop process of “shipping goods directly from domestic warehouses to international customers,” eliminating the hassle of connecting with overseas resources.
- Cargo Terminals (Air Cargo Terminals): Ground Operation Hubs for International Air Transport and Transit Centers for Cargo
Cargo terminals are typically operated by airlines, airports, or third-party professional organizations. They serve as centralized airport ground handling centers for cargo, handling all ground operations from cargo arrival to loading onto aircraft, unloading from aircraft, and finally delivery to shippers. They are key nodes connecting air transport and ground operations.
Their core function is to ensure standardized cargo handling and safety management, specifically categorized into three main areas:
Cargo Receiving and Pre-processing: Cargo terminals receive cargo from shippers or air freight forwarders, verifying cargo information (weight, volume, and quantity) against booking orders, and performing pre-processing. These include applying shipping labels to bulk cargo, reinforcing packaging for fragile items, and storing specialized cargo (such as cold chain goods) in dedicated temperature-controlled warehouses to ensure they meet loading requirements.
Core Operations: Security screening, assembly, and weighing: These are the most critical functions of a cargo terminal. First, all cargo must undergo rigorous security checks to eliminate any hazardous materials risks. Second, the cargo terminal will assemble loose cargo into cargo units (such as pallets or containers) suitable for cabin loading, based on the aircraft’s loading requirements, to improve loading efficiency. Finally, specialized equipment accurately weighs the cargo (including cargo weight and total weight of the cargo unit) and provides this information to the airline for weight calculation and aircraft loading balance.
Cargo Storage and Handover: The cargo terminal has various types of warehouses (general, cold chain, and hazardous materials) for temporary storage of cargo awaiting loading or arriving at the port for pickup. Before loading, the cargo terminal must complete a handover with the airline’s ground operations staff to ensure the cargo is accurately and securely delivered to the designated flight. Upon arrival, the cargo terminal is responsible for receiving and storing the cargo, notifying the shipper or their agent for pickup (or arranging delivery).
In addition, the cargo terminal handles unusual cargo situations. For example, if damaged packaging is discovered, the air forwarder or shipper will be promptly notified for confirmation. Overdue uncollected cargo will be temporarily stored and charged a storage fee, ensuring the orderly flow of cargo on the airport ground.
Summary: The Collaborative Logic of the Three Major Entities
Simply put, the relationship between the three entities is: “shipper contacts the air forwarder → the air forwarder connects with the airline to book space and the cargo terminal to handle the cargo → the cargo terminal completes ground operations → the airline handles air transportation → the cargo terminal receives the incoming cargo → the air forwarder coordinates delivery to the shipper.”
Airlines are the “transport executors,” cargo terminals are the “ground operators,” and air forwarders serve as the “hub” connecting all links, providing end-to-end services to shippers. These three entities, each performing their respective roles, together form a highly efficient international air transport system.
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