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Air Freight

Air Freight Services UK – Secure, Seamless Airport-to-Door

If you need air freight services UK shippers trust for speed, reliability and compliance, Freight Connect Services is ready to help. We move time-critical cargo with express, consolidated and charter options, then connect airport operations with customs clearance, bonded warehousing, road delivery and courier. As a result, your shipment flows smoothly from booking to proof of delivery.

Why choose air with Freight Connect

Air freight shortens lead times, reduces inventory risk and protects urgent revenue. However, it only works if each hand-off is tightly managed. Therefore, we align capacity, cut-offs and documentation with your deadlines, and we maintain proactive communication so you always know what comes next.

Your operational advantages

  • Speed with control: Express or consolidated service levels matched to your target ETAs.
  • End-to-end visibility: Milestone updates from pickup to POD.
  • Cost clarity: Transparent quotes so you can choose speed vs cost.
  • One partner: Freight, customs clearance, bonded warehousing, road and courier under one roof.

Service levels tailored to your deadlines

Different shipments need different service levels. Consequently, we offer multiple options so you don’t overpay for speed or under-spec a time-critical job.

Express / Next-flight-out (NFO)

For urgent consignments where every hour matters. We prioritise earliest departures, rapid handling and direct routings where possible, then schedule immediate delivery on arrival.

Consolidated air cargo

Ideal for regular flows where reliability matters and every pound counts. We use planned consolidations with predictable cut-offs to balance cost and lead time.

Air charter

When size, sensitivity or route demands a dedicated aircraft, we arrange full or part-charter solutions with targeted schedules and bespoke handling.

Air Freight Services UK – Cargo Loading Beside Aircraft Engine

Secure airport screening, Known Consignor & Regulated Agent

Air cargo must be secure and compliant before it flies. The UK’s regime is led by the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). If you’re a Known Consignor, your cargo may be accepted as secure at origin; otherwise screening occurs via a Regulated Agent before uplift. Learn more from the CAA’s pages on the Known Consignor scheme, the Regulated Agent framework, and the government’s aviation security for cargo. Civil Aviation Authority+1GOV.UK
For current Regulated Agent listings, see the CAA’s published list (updated frequently). CAA – List of Regulated Agents (PDF) Civil Aviation Authority

Dangerous goods & temperature- controlled air freight

Some products are classified as Dangerous Goods and require special packing, documentation and handling under the IATA DGR, which harmonises with ICAO Technical Instructions. We classify, label and document DG shipments in line with the IATA framework. See IATA’s overview of the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) and program resources for DG compliance in air cargo here. IATA+1
For temperature-sensitive goods, we coordinate active or passive packaging, route checks and priority ground handling so the cold chain remains intact throughout.

Documentation made simple (and right the first time)

Accurate paperwork prevents delays and storage charges. We prepare and review the commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill and any certificates required by destination. In addition, we ensure your export or import declarations are submitted correctly through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) with the correct commodity codes from the UK Trade Tariff.

HMRC

Customs declaration completion requirements (CDS) (updated guidance) GOV.UK

GOV.UK

Customs Declaration Service collection GOV.UK

GOV.UK

Trade Tariff – look up commodity codes, duty & VAT and the online Tariff tool GOV.UK

HMRC

Making a full export declaration (what to include, updates) GOV.UK

Incoterms® & who does what

Confusion around responsibilities adds cost. Therefore, we align each shipment with the agreed Incoterms® so duties, risk transfer and tasks are clear. For official guidance, see the ICC’s pages: Incoterms® rules and Incoterms® 2020. A helpful plain-English overview is also available from the US Department of Commerce: Know Your Incoterms. ICC – International Chamber of Commerce+1
Air freight services UK – international cargo transport by air

What affects your air freight quote

Air quotes reflect more than distance. Typically, the rate depends on:
  • Service level: Express/NFO vs consolidated vs charter
  • Chargeable weight: Airlines rate on the higher of actual or volumetric weight
  • Dimensions & handling: Oversized, fragile or DG items require special handling
  • Routing & capacity: Live space, cut-offs and seasonality affect price
  • Destination requirements: Security measures and customs rules vary
We benchmark live capacity and surcharges, then present options so you can choose speed, price or a balance of both.

Airport-to-door, made effortless

Because timing is everything, we focus on fast hand-offs: pickup, screening (or secure acceptance), handover to the airline, arrival handling, customs clearance, and door delivery. Moreover, our communication is proactive: you will receive milestone updates and we’ll flag anything that needs your action right away.

Typical routes & transit times

In general, UK-EU and UK-Middle East lanes can complete in 1–3 days on express services, while UK-Asia and UK-Americas lanes often require 2–5 days, depending on capacity, routing and customs. Since schedules and space change constantly, we quote against live options to give realistic ETAs.

Compliance & aviation security — what you need to know

The UK’s aviation security system protects air cargo on both passenger and freighter aircraft. The CAA regulates security arrangements, while the Department for Transport sets policy. If you’re shipping frequently, becoming a Known Consignor reduces extra screening; otherwise, a Regulated Agent conducts the required controls before uplift. See the CAA’s security overview and the government’s aviation cargo guidance. Also note the latest legislation covering air cargo agents: The Aviation Security (Air Cargo Agents) Regulations 2024. Legislation.gov.uk

How to book — four simple steps

1

Share the shipment details

origin, destination, commodity, dims/weight, DG/temperature needs, Incoterms and ready date.

2

Get your
options

express vs consolidated (and charter if needed), with cut-offs and ETAs.

3

Confirm &
prepare

we provide packing, labels and documents guidance; then we arrange pickup.

4

Track &
deliver

you receive updates at uplift, arrival, clearance and POD.

Request a Fast Air Freight Quote

FAQs – Air Freight Services UK

What’s the difference between express and consolidated air freight?
Express prioritises earliest departures and fastest routings; consolidated combines shipments on planned departures to reduce cost while keeping reliable transit.
es. We follow IATA DGR packing, labelling and documentation standards and coordinate airline acceptance accordingly. See IATA’s DG overview for the regulatory framework.
IATA – Dangerous Goods Regulations IATA
Not necessarily. Non-known consignors can ship via a Regulated Agent who screens cargo before uplift. Learn about the Known Consignor scheme on the CAA site.
CAA – Known Consignor scheme Civil Aviation

Typically: commercial invoice, packing list, air waybill, and any certificates. Your export/import declarations must be correct in the Customs Declaration Service with the right HS codes from the UK Trade Tariff.
HMRC – CDS guidance | GOV.UK – Trade Tariff GOV.UK

Incoterms® define tasks, costs and risk transfer. We align your shipment to the agreed rule and advise on implications. ICC – Incoterms® rules ICC – International Chamber of Commerce

Get started

Tell us your route, commodity and deadline. We’ll reply quickly with options and a clear plan to move your freight — from airport to door without the stress.
Contact Our Air Freight Team