Cooperation between air freight forwarding companies and airlines is typically based on several key aspects:
1. Role Positioning: Air freight forwarders act as a bridge between shippers and airlines, representing the shipper to arrange for the carriage or pickup of goods by the airline, or acting as the airline’s agent in receiving cargo and issuing relevant shipping documents.
2. Contractual Forms: The cooperation between air freight forwarders and airlines may be based on various types of contracts, such as Capacity Purchase Agreements (CPAs) and Block Space Agreements (BSAs). CPAs are more flexible and are applicable to passenger flights, whereas BSAs require the freight forwarder to guarantee a certain volume of cargo, commonly used for cargo aircraft capacity sales.
3. Service Scope: Services provided by air freight forwarders usually include soliciting cargo, receiving goods, booking space, preparing documents, customs clearance, and delivery. They may handle the receipt of goods from clients, arranging for packaging and labeling to ensure the safety of goods during transportation.
4. Risk Management: In operational processes, air freight forwarders need to closely monitor the progress of overseas agents’ operations, update information promptly, and manage risks at each stage to ensure smooth transportation of goods.
5. Fee Settlement: Air freight forwarding companies are responsible for settling fees with both shippers and carriers, including air freight charges, ground transportation fees, service fees, and handling charges.
6. Market Sales: As sales agents for airlines, air freight forwarders are responsible for selling the airline's cargo space, soliciting cargo, which is at the core of the process for air export freight forwarding business.
7. Specialized Services: Some air freight forwarders may specialize in specific areas, such as providing comprehensive cold chain logistics, large-scale project logistics, etc., establishing unique product value propositions.
8. Global Network: Air freight forwarders establish networks through partnerships worldwide to provide international shipping services, helping businesses expand globally.
Through these cooperative arrangements, air freight forwarding companies and airlines jointly ensure efficient operation of air freight and satisfaction of customers' personalized needs.
Unitex International Air Freight has established close relationships with major airlines, including CZ, 3U, ZH, W5, QR(HK), EK(HK), providing professional and cost-effective international air freight services to a wide range of customers. Feel free to contact us for inquiries!