By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Air Cargo: the Differences between Traditional Airlines and Integrated Carriers
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2024 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Air Cargo: the Differences between Traditional Airlines and Integrated Carriers

Air Cargo: the Differences between Traditional Airlines and Integrated Carriers

Michael Cheng
Last updated: 23 April 2021 19:45
By Michael Cheng 3 Min Read
Share
Finnair Cargo Loading
Finnair Cargo Loading © Finnair
SHARE

Air cargo has a massive market share in the logistics sector. For the past 2-3 decades, traditional airlines and integrated carriers have significantly impacted the cargo industry. Here, we explain a few differences between conventional airlines and integrated carriers.

Summary
Service scaleSupporting facilityReal-time trackingLogistics networkReliability and quality assurance

Service scale

Air cargo shipment considerations begin with the service scale. Traditional airlines offer cargo handling between airports and shippers can directly take their shipment to/collect it from airlines or use an assigned cargo handler. However, integrated carriers commonly provide a “door to door service” with the support of their transportation network via air, land and sea.

Supporting facility

Facilities also affect the process of selecting cargo providers. Airlines cooperate with local cargo terminal operators to save costs in infrastructure and operations. Comparatively, integrated carriers offer mature infrastructure and their own cargo hubs and distribution centres to facilitate the requirement of “door-to-door” and customised services. As an example, DHL Express has successfully demonstrated seamless connectivity with its own Central Asia hub warehouse and distribution centres across Hong Kong.

Real-time tracking

Accessibility is critical for maintaining good logistics services. Using traditional airlines provides operational flexibility and reduced costs. However, integrated carriers implement checkpoint systems that provide real-time monitoring of each collection stage’s consignment and records. A reliable tracking system facilitates excellent communication with the consignee to manage availability and readiness.

Shipment is trackable
The shipment is trackable during each stage of the process. (Source: DHL Express)

Logistics network

Network coverage can be attractive for consumers when choosing traditional airlines. Shipments may require transfers at more than one station if the destination is out of the airline’s network, which will eventually limit and potentially delay the delivery. Integrated carriers can purchase other airlines’ cargo bay capacity to fulfill these demands and maximise the efficiency.

Global network for cargo airlines (Source: NCA - Nippon Cargo Airlines)
A global cargo airline network (Source: NCA – Nippon Cargo Airlines)
FedEx flight network
FedEx flight network (Source: FEDEX)

Reliability and quality assurance

Air cargo is one of the fastest and most dependable means of moving various types of cargo from one place to another, anywhere in the world. This is especially important for time-sensitive and special shipments. A comprehensive, organised and certified handler will provide adequate quality management of the handling process. However, due to resources, some airlines may not be certified for endorsement, eliminating certain cargo types for the shipment. Comparably, integrated carriers would usually apply and get certified for special cargo endorsements. These include IATA’s CEIV certifications which cover fresh goods, live animals and pharma. These international certifications certify that the shipments comply with the latest industry guidance, providing a stable and reliable service for customers.

Choosing the best method for shipping can sometimes be tricky, especially when efficiency and costs are put into consideration.

You Might Also Like

EgyptAir to Upgrade Network Infrastructure

7 Situations We Recommend Taxi Airport Travel

Why Airport Kitchens Are Ramping Up Deep Cleans Ahead of Summer Travel

When Shipping by Air Makes the Most Sense for Your Business

WestJet Announces New Summer Routes

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Michael Cheng
By Michael Cheng
Follow:
Aviation Reporter - Based in Hong Kong, Michael is an Aviation Journalist here at Travel Radar, covering industry insights across Asia as well as international technical development within the industry. With the solid experience in airline ground operations, Michael is currently a Quality Assurance and Compliance Monitoring Officer with a large ground-operations company. In his spare time, Michael is an avid flight-simulation fan, serving in a senior marketing role for a large multiplayer server. Alongside this, he makes regular appearances at workshops and conferences across the aviation industry
Previous Article Photo by Will Waters on Unsplash Cirium: Australia and New Zealand on the Road to Capacity Recovery
Next Article Manchester Airport Prepares for Take Off
Leave a comment
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

© Flickr
Top 5 Casino Destinations for Charter Flights
Did You Know Travel
Front view of Lufthansa Airbus A350 aircraft on the runway preparing for takeoff.
Lufthansa Group Published its Winter Flight Schedule: Tickets Available Now
Airlines Aviation Route Development
An image of a Wizz Air Airbus A320-232.
Wizz Air Launches New Route from Naples to Timișoara, Romania
Airlines Route Development Travel
Finnair Aircrafts
Record-Breaking Winter Schedule to Lapland from Finnair
Airlines Aviation Route Development
An image of a RwandAir Airbus A330-243 on final approach into Toulouse Airport
RwandAir Launches RwandAir Holidays
Airlines Aviation Travel
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Press & PR
  • Privacy & Legal

Our Content

  • News
  • Data
  • Images
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Click here to Signup!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Ads help us bring you high-quality, independent journalism for free. Support us by whitelisting us from your ad blocker.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?