Knowledge

What is an air cargo charter?

An air cargo charter is a freighter aircraft contracted for one specific movement or a defined programme, instead of buying space on a scheduled flight. The buyer controls the routing, the departure window and the loading plan, and the aircraft flies when the cargo is ready rather than when the network schedule allows. Charter is used when the cargo is too heavy, too large, too urgent or too sensitive for scheduled capacity, or when an entire production line depends on one delivery date.

What is the difference between full charter, part charter and series charter?

A full charter contracts the entire cargo capacity of the aircraft for your mission, so routing and timing follow only your requirement. A part charter combines several shippers on one aircraft when commodity, routing and timing are compatible, and the cost is shared pro rata against weight and volume. A series charter is a repeating rotation over weeks or months, typically used for perishables, e-commerce peaks and industrial ramp-ups, and is priced against the whole programme rather than a single flight.

What does an air charter broker actually do?

A broker sits between the cargo and the operators. We take the requirement, size it against aircraft types, request availability from operators that hold the right approvals for your routing and commodity, compare the offers on payload, timing, permits and total landed cost, and then coordinate slots, handling and documentation once you commit. Because we do not own aircraft, the aircraft recommendation follows the cargo rather than a fleet that has to be filled.

Is Cargo Charter Network an airline?

No. Cargo Charter Network is an independent brokerage. We do not operate aircraft, we do not employ flight crew and we hold no fleet exposure. Every flight is performed by a licensed operator under its own air operator certificate, and our role is sourcing, commercial structuring, coordination and a single accountable point of contact for the mission.

How is charter different from expedited air freight?

Expedited air freight is still scheduled capacity with priority handling, so it depends on the airline's flight plan, available space and any offload risk at transit points. A charter removes both the schedule and the offload risk, because the aircraft is contracted for your cargo alone. Where a shipment is too large for a scheduled main deck, or where a single day of delay costs more than the flight, charter is usually the cheaper answer in total cost terms.

Can you fly to airports without regular freighter service?

Yes, subject to runway length and strength, ground handling capability, fuel availability, customs status and overflight or landing permits. Remote fields are routinely served with ramp-loading types such as the IL-76 or turboprops, while limited handling equipment can be compensated with self-loading aircraft or portable loaders. The feasibility check is done before any price is quoted, because an aircraft that cannot be turned around at destination is not a real option.