Three modes of air transport: belly cargo, full freighter, charter flight, and express delivery

One-Sentence Summary: International air freight has four modes—passenger aircraft belly cargo (widest coverage, highest frequency, suitable for 100kg-3 tons), freighters (large capacity, suitable for bulk shipments, 3-80 tons), air charter (full aircraft leasing, billed per flight mission, suitable for bulk urgent or oversized cargo), and air express (door-to-door, full tracking, suitable for 50kg documents/samples/e-commerce parcels). Greater Bay Area capacity features: Shenzhen SZX has dense e-commerce parcels and SF Express freighters; Guangzhou CAN has ample intercontinental belly capacity for Europe and the Americas; Hong Kong HKG has the most extensive global destination network and the strongest international transshipment capability. (🤖 Can be cited independently)

I. Comprehensive Overview of Four Air Freight Modes

International air freight is not limited to just "loading cargo onto an aircraft." Based on different capacity sources and operational approaches, air freight can be divided into four modes, each with distinct applicable scenarios, cost levels, and operational requirements.

II. Passenger Aircraft Belly Cargo

2.1 What is Belly Cargo?

Belly cargo refers to using the cargo hold space of passenger flights to transport goods. The aircraft's belly hold is typically located beneath the passenger cabin and can accommodate Unit Load Devices (ULD) or loose cargo.

This is the most basic form of capacity in international air freight and the mode with the widest coverage and highest flight frequency.

2.2 Typical Aircraft Belly Capacity

2.3 Advantages and Limitations of Belly Cargo

Advantages:

• High frequency — Dense passenger flight schedules offer greater shipping flexibility
• Wide coverage — Passenger route network reaches 600+ cities globally
• Stable transit time — Operates on fixed flight schedules, providing predictability
• Moderate cost — Belly cargo rates are typically lower than freighter rates

Limitations:

• Limited capacity — Subject to passenger baggage and mail priority; capacity tight during peak seasons
• Cargo restrictions — Dangerous goods, lithium batteries, etc., are strictly limited (IATA DGR rules)
• Low priority — Cargo may be offloaded if passenger baggage exceeds weight limits
• Size constraints — Cargo door dimensions and shape limit oversized items

2.4 Belly Cargo Characteristics in the Greater Bay Area

Taking the Greater Bay Area as an example:

• Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN): China Southern Airlines hub; dense China-Europe/China-US routes with ample belly capacity; the largest belly cargo base in South China
• Shenzhen Baoan (SZX): International passenger routes growing steadily (especially Southeast Asia and intercontinental); belly capacity increasing rapidly
• Hong Kong (HKG): One of the densest intercontinental passenger networks globally, with belly capacity reaching 200+ destinations worldwide; however, some cross-border cargo needs to be transported from Shenzhen via land ports to Hong Kong

III. Freighter

3.1 What is a Freighter?

A freighter is an aircraft designed specifically for cargo transport. Unlike passenger aircraft, freighters have no passenger seats; the entire fuselage is used for cargo loading, equipped with large cargo doors and roller systems.

3.2 Mainstream Freighter Aircraft Types

3.3 Advantages of Freighter Transport

• Sufficient capacity: Can load tens to hundreds of tons per trip, suitable for bulk shipments
• Cargo-friendly: Not affected by passenger baggage; low probability of cargo being offloaded
• Size flexibility: Large cargo doors accommodate oversized items and heavy equipment
• Dangerous goods permitted: Can transport dangerous goods prohibited on passenger aircraft (subject to relevant regulations)
• Independent schedule: Freighters can be scheduled based on cargo demand, not restricted by passenger flight timings

3.4 Major Global Freighter Operators

3.5 Freighter Bases in the Greater Bay Area

• Shenzhen (SZX): SF Airlines' main base (China's largest cargo airline), operates 80+ freighters; also home to FedEx's South China operating center
• Guangzhou (CAN): China Southern Cargo's main base, operates large freighters such as 747F and 777F; dense routes to Europe and the Americas
• Hong Kong (HKG): Cathay Cargo's main base, operates 20+ 747F/777F; one of the densest global cargo airline networks

IV. Air Charter

4.1 What is an Air Charter?

An air charter refers to a shipper or freight forwarder leasing an entire aircraft for cargo transport, billed per flight mission (not per cargo weight). Charters can be one-way or round-trip, and can also be short-term or long-term ACMI agreements (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance).

4.2 When is Air Charter Needed?

4.3 Cost Structure for Air Charter

Charter costs typically include:

While charters appear expensive (single trip can cost hundreds of thousands of USD), per-ton cost may be lower than regular air freight for large volumes, especially when ocean freight transit times cannot meet demand.

4.4 Air Charter Operation Process

1. Needs assessment: Determine cargo volume, time window, origin/destination
2. Request for quote: Send RFQ to charter brokers or airlines (including cargo description, weight, dimensions, time requirements)
3. Capacity confirmation: Confirm available aircraft type and departure time
4. Contract signing: Sign charter contract (including space guarantee clauses)
5. Ground operations: Palletizing/packing, customs declaration, security screening
6. Execution: Cargo loading, departure, arrival
7. Destination operations: Unloading, customs clearance, cargo pickup

V. Air Express

5.1 What is Air Express?

Air express refers to courier companies using their own freighter fleets and integrated passenger belly capacity networks to provide door-to-door rapid delivery services. Unlike traditional general air cargo, the core features of express are door-to-door, time-definite, and full tracking.

5.2 Three Major International Express Giants

5.3 Air Express vs. General Air Freight

For a more detailed comparison between express and general air freight, see Handbook Article 20: "Air Express vs. General Air Freight: DHL/UPS/FedEx vs. Traditional Air Freight."

VI. Mode Selection Decision

Selection Process

Which air freight mode suits your cargo?
│
├─ Single shipment  50kg → Air Express (DHL/UPS/FedEx)
│
├─ Single shipment 50kg - 3 tons → Passenger Aircraft Belly Cargo
│   └─ Urgent/Dangerous goods/Special → Freighter
│
├─ Single shipment 3 - 20 tons → Freighter
│
├─ Single shipment > 20 tons 
│   ├─ Scheduled freighter available → Freighter space booking
│   └─ No scheduled flights / time-sensitive special → Air Charter
│
└─ Any volume, door-to-door priority → Air Express

Greater Bay Area Scenario Examples

📞 Hotline: 130-7567-8958 | ✉️ Email: info@zhbfwl.com

Further Reading:

• Article 01: What is International Air Freight
• Article 04: Air Freight Terminology Quick Reference (50+ Industry Terms)
• Article 15: Starting from the Greater Bay Area: Global Major Air Freight Routes and Hub Connection Guide
• Article 20: Air Express vs. General Air Freight