Air Freight Shipping - Air Cargo Containers Categories

Air Cargo Containers Categories

Shippers can perform savings and reduce cargo loss by containerizing their air cargo shipments. Airlines stimulate use of containers by providing special tariffs for containerized FAK (Freight-All-Kinds) shipments on many routes.

Certain products are excluded from air cargo FAK special rates. You should consult with your carrier or forwarder for peculiars on excluded items and on items prohibited by lATA's Dangerous Goods Regulations, or read our articles Classes of Dangerous Goods.

Air consigners prefer containerized shipments for the following reasons:
- Decreases the number of personal pieces of cargo that must be handled in terminals.
- Guarantees the most effectual use of cubic capacity of the aircraft.
- Permits use of mechanical handling systems and equipment to best advantage.
- Speeds loading and unloading of aircraft.
- Reduces exposure of cargo to weather, theft, pilferage and handling damage while in custody of the carrier.

Basic Air Cargo Containers Categories
1. Air Cargo Pallets
Intended for use with conveyor systems in terminals and in aircraft. The low-pro-file flat pallet is equipped with outfits for securing the pallet firmly to the main deck of an all-cargo aircraft. Freight is usually secured to the pallet by use of cargo nets, tightened over cargo by the application of tensioned straps.

2. Contoured Air Cargo Containers
Contoured, semi-structural covers called Type "A" are usually used to provide protection for freight and keep cargo within safe dimensions for loading in aircraft. These containers may have one side (as a rule front) open, with cargo secured by nets or have metal or fiberglass removable doors, which are capable of being sealed.

3. Lower Deck Containers
These containers are engineered for use in the lower deck cargo spaces of high-capacity aircraft, they are fully structured and totally enclosed. Freight is loaded into the container, which may be fit out with shelves for accommodation of small or non-standard shaped cargo. The doors of container are made of doors of metal, fabric or a combination of both; they are closed and sealed. Containers are locked directly into air-craft restraint systems without need for nets or tie-downs. They are provided with dunnage or shelving to prevent crushing of cargo at recessed end of lower deck container.

4. Box-Type Containers
This category of containers are designed in standard sizes to facilitate establishment of standardized shipping rates, they are used to consolidate shipments. Box-type containers are often used by freight forwarders to consolidate shipper's cargo into one easily handled and rated unit. These containers are made of wood, fiberglass, plywood, fiberboard, metal or combinations of these materials.

Air Cargo Containers
The table below lists standard air cargo containers. Minor variations in internal dimensions and cube will occur due to differences in the construction techniques and materials used.

External Dimensions (inches)	Mazimum Gross Weight (lbs.)	IATA	ATA
125 x 96 x 96	15,000	ARA	M1
240 x 96 x 96	25,000	ASE-ASG	M2
88 x 125 x 87	13,300	SAB-UAB	A1
88 x 125 x 87	12,500	AAA-SAA	A2, A3
81 x 60.4 x 62.75	4,500	-	FTC
47 x 60.4 x 64	2,700	APA	LD2
79 x 60.4 x 64	3,500	AVE-AKE	LD3
96 x 60.4 x 64	5,400	DLP-DLF	LD4
125 x 60.4 x 64	7,000	AWB-AWD	LD5, LD11
25 x 60.4 x 64	5,680	AWC-AWF	LD6
125 x 60.4 x 64	13,300	AAP-AAR	LD7, LD9
196 x 60.4 x 60	5,400	ALE	LD8
125 x 60.4 x 64	5,680	AWR-AWS	LD10
98 X 42.2 X 41.6	1,700	-	LDW
84 X 58 X 76.45	5000	-	B
42 X 58 X 76.45	2500	-	B2
58 X 42 X 45	2,000	-	D
42 X 29 X 25.5	500	-	E
35.4 X 21 X 21	250	-	EH
56 X 55 X 57	3,160	-	LD-N
39.5 X 27.5 X 21	400	-	Q