Read This if You Are Confused Between Air Cargo and Air Freight

July 12, 2021

Air freight in the Philippines is gaining popularity because of its efficiency and you may have heard the terms air freight and air cargo because of this. These terms seem to be used interchangeably for some companies but there are times they mean differently. Let’s end the confusion now.

So, is there a difference between air cargo and air freight? The answer is YES and NO. Now do not fret and be more puzzled – this will be explained further as you read on.

YES, there is a difference.

The first difference is that air cargo represents the goods actually being transported while air freight is the cost paid for the transportation. This is what the Merriam-Webster definition gives us. Another difference is that air freight also refers to the manner by which the goods are transported – by air. You may sum their difference as:

The air cargo (goods) has a corresponding air freight (cost) depending on its weight.

The air cargoes (goods) will be transported via air freight.

There are also other differences between the two terms, and this is dependent on the shipping company’s jargon. It is best to understand what these terms mean with the specific company you are dealing with so there would not be any confusion.

NO, there is no difference.

As was mentioned early on, air freight and air cargo can mean the same. Shipping companies, though under the same industry, may use the terms differently. Shipping company A may mean the same thing when referring to air cargo and air freight, while Shipping company X may have a strict delineation between the two terms. This stresses the point to speak in one language with the courier you are dealing with so there won’t be any loose ends.

Air freight in the Philippines is a steadily growing industry. Whether it be to or from the country, shipping by air gives a lot of benefits such as cost-effectivity, efficiency for time-sensitive goods, package security, wider reach location-wise, and a whole lot more. Knowing how the terms air freight and air cargo differ and mean the same is a small but good step to better understand this developing industry.