AIR FREIGHT SERVICES

Air freight services

The sky’s the limit with our air freight forwarding expertise. We know that global cargo shipments have become integral to modern life, which is why we provide exceptional air freight and air cargo tracking services that will meet your every need. As an industry leader, we tap into the world’s major routes and work with carefully selected carriers to deliver scheduled shipments all across the world. We’re on the ball, know what works and are here to make air shipping a whole lot easier to navigate.

Air shipping with Priority Freight - top cargo transportation

With our logistical expertise, we’re committed to organising the fastest and most efficient means of freight forwarding to all destinations worldwide – no matter what your cargo size. We know how important cargo delivery deadlines are, to many industries, which is why we tailor our services to suit your needs taking into account timescales and any specific instructions. Open communication with our clients then allows us to find the best possible route and arrange bookings either on scheduled passenger or freighter flights. We also offer full load and split air charter flights depending on load type, time scales, destination and circumstances.

Air freight track & trace

From small loads to heavy, bulky cargo, we can transport all kinds of goods across the globe using our air freight services. But did you know that we also offer sophisticated freight tracking software? This makes it easy to keep track of the freight forwarding journey and manage delivery goals in real-time. We’ll provide you with key information every step of the way throughout your cargo’s journey, so that you can stay in control and input the information into budgeting and scheduling plans. Our services have knock-on effects, which is why we work to a punctual and no-nonsense timescale.

If you’re looking for a company to take on your air freight requirements with confidence, don’t hesitate to get in touch today.

Fas Courier provides 24/7 technical assistance for European-based automotive manufacturer to continue production

For production to continue, the manufacturer required daily collection of parts, from up to 30 UK and EU suppliers. Due to the ever-changing schedules, there was limited knowledge of parts quantities, packaging dimensions and some supplier locations, making this challenge seem impossible.

COVID-19 closures had altered the operating hours for many suppliers which limited collection times. Plus, new air freight plans were issued daily, requiring a rapid and accurate turnaround of customs paperwork, export declarations and clearance.

As soon as the manufacturer requested assistance, Priority Freight assigned a team of experienced planners from within various areas of the business to oversee the project.

The logistics solution included 40 special rush shipments per day by road and, to help speed up the supply chain, required multiple air charters to match changing consignment sizes and weight.

Over the course of the project, more than 100 aircraft were chartered, ranging from multiple Antonov-12s, Boeing 737 freighters, the new-to-the-market A321 freighter and the fast-loading Ilyushin 76.

The expert team worked 24/7 over two weeks to:

  • Oversee the door-to-door transport of 250m3 or 50,000kg of air freight per day
  • Negotiate special operating hours at airports that would ensure the deliveries arrived on time (most airports operated limited opening hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
  • Liaise with handling agents to plan vehicle offloading, aircraft pallet building and aircraft loading distribution
  • Help ensure permits were granted by the relevant Civil Aviation Authorities due to new Brexit aviation rules between the UK and EU

With around-the-clock responses and time-critical logistics expertise, Priority Freight delivered all shipments in time and helped the automotive manufacturer avoid downtime that would have cost €150m per week in lost revenue.

Fast Courier transports two-tonne replacement part for life-saving medical machinery over 7,000 miles in just 48 hours

A global manufacturer and maintenance provider of medical scanners called on Priority Freight’s reliable and cost-effective services to deliver a replacement part from the Netherlands to Namibia within 48 hours.

The hospital faced problems when the only scanner on-site suffered a rare breakdown. Despite repeated visits from local engineers, the only way to resolve the issue was to have a large ‘arm’ (which makes up the top of the machine) shipped from the EU spares facility in the Netherlands, over 7,000 miles away.

Since a breakdown on such an important machine is so unusual, Priority Freight knew they had to do whatever was needed to get the part to the hospital in Namibia via the fastest, most cost-effective and reliable method. Usually, ‘next flight out’ (NFO) shipments are used for small, emergency cargo and, due to the COVID pandemic, NFOs were hard to coordinate for many forwarders because of the lack of flights and irregular routes. Adding extra complication, the arm weighed around two tonnes and measured almost five meters in length. However, Priority Freight was able to secure NFO transport for the part, even with its unconventional size.

By negotiating with the airline in both Amsterdam and Frankfurt, and preparing for customs clearance in Namibia ahead of time, Priority Freight’s Heathrow team ensured the unit and the equipment needed for offload into the hospital travelled through customs at each airport without delay. Due to the medical importance of the diagnostic machinery, the situation in Namibia was quickly escalated to national government level.

Priority Freight arranged all the necessary documentation, outbound and inbound clearance, additional irregular weight and dimension transport, first and last mile delivery and intercontinental air uplift for delivery within 48 hours. It was just days between the initial call coming in and the replacement arm and associated tooling arriving at the hospital. Engineers were able to have the scanner back in action on the same day as delivery. The broken part was loaded back into the purpose-built crate, and Priority Freight shipped it back to the manufacturer in the UK for analysis.

The manufacturer’s VP happened to be conducting her daily video call with the hospital when the truck arrived at the hospital with the new arm on board. The moment was even caught in the background of the video call. She commented, “Thanks so much to Priority Freight for meeting all the deadlines on this project – despite the added complexity caused by the pandemic and restrictions around available routes. This would not have been possible without your team’s expertise. A big thanks to the Priority Freight team”.

Fast Courier transports two tons of automotive parts from China to Europe in less than 36 hours

When the call came in from the customer in Spain on Thursday evening, the relevant Chinese manufacturers and airlines were already closed. However, scenario planning began immediately and the client was offered the express tariffs that Priority Freight already had secured with airlines operating out of China in advance.

The cargo needed to be collected from two different Tianjin-based manufacturers which, at the time of the booking, were closed and had no idea the emergency transport was already being organised.

Priority Freight prepared the relevant paperwork needed for customs and was ready with two vehicles to pick up the parts as soon as the Chinese manufacturers started work for the day, transferring to Shanghai airport (PVG) for the first available flight on Friday.

To ensure the goods would arrive in Spain by Saturday evening, Priority Freight knew the only solution would be air freight to Frankfurt (FRA) and then an air charter to Madrid (MAD). Priority Freight having its own regional office at FRA airport played a big part in the success of the operation. The company secured a direct flight to FRA for all two tons of cargo, where the team was able to expedite customs for a re-route to Stuttgart airport (STR). There, the chartered SAAB 340ª aircraft was waiting to fly to MAD on Saturday morning.

The capabilities of Priority Freight’s 24/7 team made a huge difference in this case. Priority Freight’s night team in Europe was able to liaise with the partners in China and, as soon as the truck arrived to collect the goods at the factories, they communicated independently with the manufacturers, knowing exactly what was needed; acting on the customer’s behalf while their offices in Europe were closed.

By the time Priority Freight’s Spanish customer had woken up, all cargo had been loaded from both loading points
and the vehicles were able to make the deadline to PVG. The cargo departed China and arrived in FRA on Saturday at 8am – less than 36 hours after the call came in.

In Frankfurt, the cargo was divided in two – with the urgently required goods transferred to MAD via air charter from STR on Saturday morning, and the less urgent components following by road freight. This move, initiated by Priority Freight, saved another 8.000 € in freight costs for the client.

Priority Freight specialises in providing global time-critical logistics solutions to add speed and flexibility to customers’ supply chains, no matter what the geography, size, weight, distance or mode of transport. Their experience and adaptability to alter the consignment arrangements ensured the time-critical part of the shipment met the agreed deadline, while saving the client from unnecessary expenditure. All cargo arrived in time and the automotive manufacturer was pleased with the speed of service and limited impact on its operations and production.

Our sophisticated freight track and trace software makes air cargo tracking remarkably easy to do, providing you with key information every step of the way.

Track & Trace
Security

While airport security can be a hassle for those of us who fly, strict regulations and screenings benefit air freight shippers. Cargo receiving areas and air terminals are highly monitored and secure, limiting the risk of theft or damage. Additionally, there is minimal handling and less time required for transit.

Tracking

Most air freight service providers offer web-based tracking that allows you to check the real-time status of your cargo, from destination to arrival.

Cost of Packaging

Because cargo is shipped in very lightweight packaging, there is reduced need for the packing materials and containers.

We are dedicated to delivering customized supply chain solutions that exceed expectations to customers across the globe!

Airport-to-airport deliveries

Our global reach allows us to offer international air freight shipping services connecting the most important airports in the world. Airport-to-airport solutions are used mainly by companies that have their own local freight network but need to get shipments from abroad.

Door-to-door shipping

End-to-end logistics solution. We will take care of all the shipping details, from collection to delivery, ensuring your products arrive on time at the location of your choice. Temporary warehousing can also be arranged in combination with air freight delivery services.