What Are the Characteristics of Air Transportation and the Documents Used?

Which documents do you need for air freight in logistics, and what are the characteristics of air transport? In this blog post, we will address these topics.

With the advancement of technology, speed has become one of the most important factors in both our daily lives and the business world. At a time when production times have shortened and production speeds have increased, air transport has also secured an important place for itself. Air transport is known as the fastest and safest mode of transportation.

E-exporters who sell in international marketplaces prefer to deliver their products to their customers by air because it is fast. Regardless of the transportation method, you can find the steps you need to follow and the documents required for e-export to deliver your products to the whole world in our relevant content.

What Are the Characteristics of Air Transport?

Air transport is evaluated differently from other modes of transport due to certain superior characteristics. One of the most important advantages of air cargo delivery is the shortened delivery times thanks to high speed. Accordingly, prime features include high levels of safety and reliability, and maximum care taken in handling cargo compared to other transportation methods.

On the other hand, air logistics is carried out using specific documents that protect the rights of individuals and institutions involved in the transportation process. At the same time, being the transport method least affected by subsequent political equations and adversities between countries is another factor that makes air cargo transportation attractive.

To conduct logistics by air, a "Master Air Waybill" (MAWB), also known as the "Air Cargo Waybill" or "Air Waybill", is signed between the forwarder company and the relevant airline carrying out the transport, and the transportation is executed in line with the principles of this document. Let us examine both the Master Air Waybill and other documents that must be provided for air cargo transportation one by one below:

• Master Air Waybill

• House Air Waybill

• Cargo Manifesto

• Cargo Transfer Manifesto

• Charges Correction Advice

• Cargo Accounting Advice

• Advice of Non-Delivery

• Cargo Damage Report

1. Master Air Waybill (MAWB)

This document, signed between the shipper and the airline company performing the air cargo transport, is executed under the framework of the "Air Cargo Waybill" or "Air Waybill" (AWB). The Air Waybill (AWB) can also be used for individual or combined transport from one point to another. The phrase "performance of the promised work" in this contract also covers the rights of the shipper, carrier, and consignee.

This transport document is issued in twelve copies, three of which are originals. The first copy belongs to the airline, the second to the consignee, and the third copy to the shipper. As long as the third copy of the air waybill is in the seller's possession, the seller has the right to present this copy to the carrier agency and change the transportation conditions and even the consignee of the goods before they are delivered to the buyer. Therefore, this right granted to the shipper poses a significant risk for both the buyer and the bank. To minimize this risk, the presentation of the third copy of the air waybill to banks is requested.

2. House Air Waybill (HAWB)

Air waybills issued on behalf of the actual shippers are prepared in the name of the shipper for long-term shipping transactions.

House air waybills, which are structured similarly to the master air waybill, are issued by IATA-authorized air cargo agents and freight forwarders in air freight and certify that the shipped goods have been received.

3. Cargo Manifesto

This document is prepared for cargo shipments made by air. It is prepared in English, legibly, and in capital letters. During the transport process carried out by air cargo, a cargo manifesto showing the characteristics of the transported goods, the required conditions for transport, and the locations of delivery must be prepared. The cargo manifesto, drawn up in accordance with the waybill, must be prepared in English.

Just like in the waybill, the shipper's name-surname, address, city, country, and telephone details, as well as the airport of departure and destination, and the cities where they are located, must be included in the cargo manifesto. If the transported cargo falls into the class of dangerous goods, detailed information about this cargo must also be specified.

4. Cargo Transfer Manifesto

Showing that cargo transfer has taken place between two companies, the cargo transfer manifesto is a document used when freight-collect cargo is transferred to the first carrier or another carrier company. The receiving carrier assumes all responsibilities for subsequent transfers and any delays. Information on who bears the responsibility for adverse situations like damage, loss, or depreciation that may occur during transport is specified in the transfer manifesto.

5. Charges Correction Advice

A warning document, the charges correction advice, ensures the correction of errors resulting from under-declaring or over-declaring cargo weight, incorrect cargo pricing, and tariff errors.

6. Cargo Accounting Advice

The cargo accounting advice is a document prepared to assist accounting and simplify its operations. It is used to collect charges not specified in the waybill but indicated to be paid by the shipper, and to collect expenses not specified in the waybill but indicated to be paid by the consignee.

7. Advice of Non-Delivery

According to IATA, it is a document issued by the last carrier to be delivered to the waybill-holding carrier. When disruptions occur and problems arise that prevent the delivery of the cargo shipment because it has not been picked up from the delivery point within 14 days, an advice of non-delivery is prepared.

8. Cargo Damage Report

The cargo damage report is a document that reports damage resulting in the depreciation of the air cargo's value as specified in the waybill, ensuring that the necessary procedures are initiated.

Lastly, the Air Waybill is a receipt and does not qualify as a valuable paper (negotiable instrument). With the endorsement and delivery of this document, also called the air consignment note, ownership of the goods cannot be transferred. The goods are delivered to whoever is named as the consignee on the issued waybill.

International Organizations in Air Transport

There are certain international organizations and institutions to ensure safe transport within the framework of rules established by air.

Among these institutions, the International Air Transport Association, or IATA for short, was established by air carriers to ensure the orderly functioning of air traffic, develop an economical air transport model, determine cargo rates and procedures regarding the technical equipment of aircraft, and provide cooperation and coordination with other international organizations.

Other major institutions and organizations responsible for providing relevant services in air cargo transport include IATA agents, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, logistics companies, air carriers, and ground handling services.

What Are the Types of Air Cargo Transportation?

Various equipment is used to ensure air logistics is carried out safely and without damage. Such equipment includes nets, pallet nets, enclosed igloos, types of containers, and pallets. Problem-free transport of cargos by air is achieved by placing the cargo inside the most appropriate of these pieces of equipment.

What is the Legal Framework of International Air Transport?

In Turkish legislation, the organization responsible for regulating air transportation is the Ministry of Transport, and legal regulations and updates are provided by the Civil Aviation Law and other regulations.

In international air transport, on the other hand, the relevant regulations, terms, and conditions of the Warsaw Convention and the Hague Protocol constitute the essence of the legal framework for international air logistics.