In recent years, with the rapid development of logistics, air transport will also play an important role in freight transportation. What is air transport, and what are its characteristics? Below, Wu Tong Wang (Logistics Tong Network) provides a detailed introduction!

What Is Air Transport?

Air transport, also known as aircraft transport or simply "air freight", is a mode of transportation that uses aircraft as the means of transport for cargo shipping, under the prerequisite of having air routes and airports in place.

The weight of cargo in air transport is calculated based on gross weight, with the unit of measurement being kilograms (kg). For cargo weighing less than 1 kg, it is calculated as 1 kg; for cargo exceeding 1 kg, the decimal part is rounded off.

    For narrow-body aircraft: Each piece of cargo generally does not exceed 80 kg in weight or 40×60×100 cm in volume.

    For wide-body aircraft: Each piece of cargo generally does not exceed 250 kg in weight or 250×200×160 cm in volume.

For cargo that exceeds the above weight or volume limits, Northwest Airlines will determine whether it can be accepted based on specific conditions.

Cargo with a volume exceeding 6,000 cubic centimeters (cm3) per kg is classified as bulk cargo (or light cargo). Bulk cargo is measured by converting every 6,000 cm3 into 1 kg.

Characteristics of Air Transport

(1) Commodity Nature

The product provided by air transport is a special form of product—"spatial displacement". Its product form lies in changing the spatial position of the objects transported by air, and the unit of the product is "person-kilometers" (for passengers) and "ton-kilometers" (for cargo). The commodity attribute of air transport products is ultimately realized through the purchasing behavior of users in the air transport market.

(2) Service Nature

The air transport industry belongs to the tertiary industry and is a service-oriented sector. The quantity of its services is reflected by the amount of "spatial displacement" provided, while the quality of services is reflected by service methods and attitudes. This attribute determines that carriers must continuously expand their transport capacity to meet the growing social demand for such services, and adhere to the principle of "Passengers First, Users Supreme" to provide safe, convenient, comfortable, and on-time high-quality services for users.

(3) International Nature

Air transport has become the most important mode of transportation in modern society and a link for international political exchanges and economic cooperation. This includes not only international friendly cooperation but also fierce international competition. In terms of services, freight rates, technical coordination, operation management, and the formulation and implementation of laws and regulations, the air transport industry is constrained by unified international standards and influenced by the international air transport market.

(4) Quasi-Military Nature

Mankind’s aviation activities were first applied in the military field before being transferred to civil use. In modern warfare, gaining air superiority is a key factor in securing the initiative in war. Therefore, many countries stipulate in their laws that the aircraft fleet and related personnel owned by air transport enterprises serve national economic development in peacetime as military reserve forces. In times of war or emergency, civil aviation can be requisitioned by the state in accordance with legal procedures to serve military needs.

(5) Capital-, Technology-, and Risk-Intensive Nature

The air transport industry is a high-investment sector. Both transport vehicles (aircraft) and other transport equipment are expensive and involve huge costs, resulting in extremely high operating costs. Additionally, the air transport industry has high technical requirements, complex equipment operations, and a high degree of interdependence among various departments, leading to significant risks during operation.

No government or organization in any country has sufficient financial resources to subsidize its national air transport enterprises in the same way as it subsidizes urban public transportation. For this reason, the air transport industry is not considered a public welfare undertaking in countries around the world; instead, it must aim for profitability to maintain its normal operation and development.

(6) Natural Monopoly Nature

Due to the huge investment, high concentration of capital, technology, and risks, long investment payback period, strict restrictions on the qualification of air transport entities, and high market access threshold—coupled with historical factors—the air transport industry has formed a natural monopoly during its development.