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Step-by-Step Process for Air Transport Advisory

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Financial Analyst

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Introduction

Air transport advisory helps businesses, logistics operators, e-commerce brands, and exporters optimize their air cargo operations with efficient routing, compliant documentation, and seamless airline coordination. This guide explains the complete step-by-step process followed in Air Transport Advisory, enabling companies to enhance delivery speed, reduce freight cost, and maintain international compliance.

Step-by-Step Process for Air Transport Advisory

1. Requirement Analysis & Cargo Profiling

The advisory process begins by understanding:

  • Cargo type (general, perishable, dangerous goods, pharma, high-value, oversized)
  • Shipment weight & volume
  • Packaging requirements
  • Temperature or handling sensitivity
  • Destination and delivery deadlines

Profiling the cargo correctly ensures accurate compliance and cost planning.

2. Route Feasibility & Mode Assessment

Air advisory experts evaluate:

  • Best routes (direct / transit airports)
  • Airline capacity and availability
  • Transit time vs. cost comparison
  • Aircraft type suitability (narrow-body, wide-body, freighter)
  • Seasonal capacity constraints

This enables selection of the fastest and most economical route.

3. Air Freight Costing & Carrier Selection

The advisory team prepares a structured costing sheet covering:

  • Air freight charges
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Security fee
  • Handling charges
  • AWB fee
  • Airport terminal charges
  • Customs examination charges
  • Optional: insurance premium

Carriers are evaluated on reliability, transit times, load factor, and cost efficiency.

4. Regulatory & Documentation Compliance

Correct documentation is critical for air cargo. Advisory support includes:

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI)
  • Dangerous Goods Declaration (if applicable)
  • Export declarations
  • Insurance certificate
  • Certificates of origin or product-specific approvals

Ensuring compliance avoids delays, penalties, or offloading of cargo.

5. Cargo Packaging, Marking & Labelling Review

Advisory teams guide on:

  • IATA-approved packaging
  • Shock-resistant or temperature-sensitive packaging
  • DG cargo packaging norms
  • Export labels, barcodes, and hazard labels
  • Palletisation standards and shrink wrapping

Proper packaging ensures safety and meets airline acceptance criteria.

6. Airline Booking & Space Confirmation

A professional advisory team coordinates with carriers to:

  • Block cargo space
  • Select flight schedules
  • Confirm AWB number
  • Complete acceptance cut-off formalities
  • Monitor space restrictions during peak seasons

Early booking ensures price stability and guaranteed uplift.

7. Airport Handling & Customs Coordination

Advisory teams manage:

  • Pre-shipment inspection
  • Security scanning
  • Documentation submission at airline counter
  • Customs clearance
  • X-ray screening / ETD
  • Cargo terminal handling
  • Handing over cargo before cut-off

Proper coordination reduces dwell time at terminals.

8. Real-Time Tracking & Flight Monitoring

After cargo uplift, live monitoring includes:

  • Flight departure & arrival updates
  • Transit airport monitoring
  • Airline irregularity reports (offload, delay, damage)
  • POD (Proof of Delivery) updates

Advisory teams communicate updates proactively until final delivery.

9. Post-Shipment Compliance & Reporting

After shipment completion:

  • Generate tracking report
  • Review flight performance
  • Validate freight invoice
  • Analyze cost vs. actual
  • Create advisory report for efficiency improvement

This step helps businesses optimise future air shipments.

Benefits of Air Transport Advisory

  • Faster delivery planning
  • Reduced freight cost through optimized routing
  • Accurate documentation & regulatory compliance
  • Minimised delays & penalties
  • Professional coordination with airlines & airports
  • Better visibility & tracking control
  • Optimal use of cargo space and packaging standards

How Saving Mantra Supports Air Transport Advisory

Saving Mantra provides end-to-end advisory covering:

  • Cargo assessment & route planning
  • Airline negotiation
  • Freight rate optimization
  • Documentation & compliance management
  • Handling coordination at airports
  • Tracking & performance reporting

Designed for exporters, importers, e-commerce brands, and logistics companies.

Disclaimer

This blog offers general guidance on the Air Transport Advisory process. Regulations, airport procedures, airline policies, and documentation requirements may vary by country, airport, product type, and time. This content should not be treated as legal, aviation, or customs advice. For case-specific compliance, consult IATA guidelines, local customs authorities, airline regulations, or a qualified logistics and aviation professional. Saving Mantra provides advisory support tailored to individual business needs.

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