Sea freight VS Air freight

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Article published on 15/04/2022, modified on 05/12/2025 Reading time: 5 min

There are several types of transport to get goods from point A to point B. Among the most common are air, sea, road and rail. Each has its own characteristics, as they do not all transport the same type of goods. AEROAFFAIRES explains the advantages and limitations of sea and air freight.

What is sea freight?

Sea freight involves transporting goods by ship. It is the most important mode of transport for shipping goods internationally.

For information, according to TLF, the French Union of Transport and Logistics Companies, 80% of the global volume of goods in the world is transported by sea, and 72% of French imports are carried out this way. International trade by sea has increased from 550 million tonnes in 1950 to 5.5 billion tonnes in 2022, which represents an annual growth rate of 4.5%.

The increase in seaborne trade is due in particular to the reduction of customs duties and containerisation, which has greatly reduced the loading and unloading times of ships.

The benefits of sea freight

Maritime trade is at the heart of the globalisation process for several reasons:

It reduces the overall cost of transport,

Ships are able to carry a large volume of goods thanks to containerisation, which allows them to be transported in containers with standardised dimensions. It allows real productivity gains.

They allow companies to achieve economies of scale, i.e. when they increase the volume, the unit cost of a product decreases.

Ships are prepared to withstand extreme weather conditions.

The sea is the most environmentally friendly mode of transport. It emits five times less CO2 than road transport and 13 times less than air transport.

The limits of sea freight

Like all modes of transport, sea freight has its limits. It is a slow mode of transport, which sometimes makes it difficult to meet delivery deadlines and track the exact location of goods in transit. Other external factors also come into play, such as the threat of piracy or the desire for the resources of the seas and oceans, which leads to conflicts between states.

Maritime transport is generally used by companies shipping large quantities of goods. It is a slow mode of transport but ideal for bulk shipments such as coal, minerals, grain, etc.

What is air freight?

According to ICAO, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, air cargo includes all goods transported by air, all goods except baggage. This mode of transport has seen a very strong growth in 2021. In fact, global air transport increased by almost 19% in 2021 compared to 2020. Since the health crisis and in particular the absence of passengers on flights, airlines have compensated and organised flights specially dedicated to the transport of goods. Since then, the demand for this mode of transport has continued to grow and it is in this context that the world fleet of cargo aircraft is expected to increase by 60% by 2039.

Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport is the second largest cargo airport in Europe.

The advantages of air freight

The major advantage of air freight is that it is the fastest way to transport goods. The advantages are numerous:

It allows goods to be transported in an emergency. It is preferred for shipments with short delivery times over long distances.

Goods are also transported in standardised containers, the shape of which follows the curvature of the aircraft fuselage.

With private aviation, the route is chosen by the customer, who has a wider choice of airports.

Cargo flights allow the transport of dangerous goods and regulated products that are not allowed on passenger flights.

It allows companies to dominate the competition by offering a faster service than competitors.

Air freight is international and has excellent geographical coverage.

The limits of air freight

Like sea freight, air freight has its limitations. Generally, it is more expensive, which is why it is preferred for shipments with short delivery times. In addition, it is also dependent on external factors such as weather conditions, strikes or even technical factors such as engine failures or emergency landings. Air freight is subject to many restrictions, some products cannot be shipped by air.

The aircraft that carry cargo by air are cargo planes, which are exclusively dedicated to the transport of goods, and combi-aircraft, which can carry both passengers and goods in the baggage compartment. Air freight is very convenient for products with a limited shelf life, such as perishable goods and fragile products, e.g. medical equipment, but also for products in smaller quantities.

Many factors explain why air freight rates are constantly increasing: global pandemics, port strikes, the Suez Canal crisis, congestion of maritime routes, etc. Air transport is taking advantage of the situation and is positioning itself as a complementary offer to maritime freight.

In business aviation, the demand for air freight is also numerous, we have the possibility to charter a multitude of cargo planes in order to be able to answer all your requests for the transport of goods.

Here are a few examples of cargo aircraft that AEROAFFAIRES charters: Antonov 124, Super Guppy, Airbus A330-200F, or Airbus Beluga, but also smaller aircraft such as the Pilatus PC-24 for example.

AEROAFFAIRES offers a variety of private aviation services, including cargo flights. We are available 24/7 all year round. We will respond as quickly as possible to your request for a quote online or by telephone on +33 (0)1 44 09 91 82.

Which mode of transport is more profitable for companies: sea freight or air freight?

Sea freight remains the most cost-effective mode of transport when large volumes of goods are involved. In fact, the cost of transport per tonne is much lower than that of air freight, making it the preferred choice for industrial companies and importers or exporters of heavy products (raw materials, textiles, automotive components, etc.).
Air freight, on the other hand, is more expensive, but allows high added-value or perishable products to be shipped quickly. It is therefore better suited to companies that need rapid delivery or secure transport over long distances.
What is the average delivery time for sea freight and air freight?

Delivery times depend largely on the distance travelled and customs formalities.
Sea freight between Europe and Asia takes between 20 and 40 days, including loading, port transit and unloading.
By air freight, the same journey can be made in just 24 to 72 hours.
Air transport is therefore preferred for urgent deliveries, while sea transport is ideal for supplies planned in advance.
Is air freight safer than sea freight?

Yes, air freight offers a superior level of security thanks to strict control protocols at airports and constant monitoring of the load. The risks of theft, loss or damage are minimal.
Sea freight, on the other hand, although generally reliable, remains exposed to the vagaries of the weather, port delays and sometimes the risk of piracy in certain parts of the world.
What is the environmental impact of air freight compared with sea freight?

Sea freight is much more environmentally friendly: it emits around 13 times less CO₂ than air freight per tonne transported. However, it is still responsible for marine pollution (hydrocarbons, plastic waste, heavy fuels).
Air freight, on the other hand, consumes more fuel and makes a greater contribution to the carbon footprint of international transport. Many airlines, such as AEROAFFAIRES, now offset 100% of their CO₂ emissions, notably through carbon offsetting programmes and modern, more fuel-efficient fleets.
What types of goods are preferred for air freight?

Air freight is ideal for goods that are sensitive to time or temperature:
Pharmaceutical and medical products,
High-value electronic equipment,
Spare mechanical parts,
Fresh or perishable goods (flowers, fruit, fish),
Urgent documents and luxury goods.
These goods benefit from fast transport, precise GPS tracking and reduced handling, guaranteeing reliable and rapid delivery.
Is sea freight still the best solution for mass shipments?

Yes, sea freight remains unbeatable for bulky or bulk shipments, particularly for products such as coal, minerals, cement or standardised containers. It maximises economies of scale, but requires rigorous logistical planning. Companies that choose this solution accept longer transit times in exchange for much lower transport costs.
How does air freight fit into international logistics?

Air freight is a key link in the modern international logistics chain. It rapidly links remote production areas (Asia, America, Europe) to distribution centres and final consumers. Thanks to the digitalisation of cargo tracking and the coordination of airport hubs, companies can now monitor their shipments in real time and adjust their distribution strategies instantly.
What are the hidden costs of sea and air freight?

In addition to the carriage charge, there are a number of other costs that can have an impact on the logistics budget:
For sea freight: port handling charges, marine insurance, customs duties, storage in warehouses or holding containers.

For air freight: airport taxes, security charges, special packaging or fuel surcharges.
An overall analysis of logistics costs (TCO – Total Cost of Ownership) is used to determine the most cost-effective solution for each requirement.
Which are the most important airports and ports for international freight?

Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) is Europe’s second largest cargo airport after Frankfurt. It hosts numerous cargo flights operated by AEROAFFAIRES, Air France Cargo, DHL and FedEx.
On the maritime side, the ports of Le Havre, Rotterdam, Hamburg and Antwerp are major hubs for international trade, connecting Europe to the world’s major shipping routes.
Can air and sea freight be combined in the same logistics chain?

Yes, this so-called « multimodal » strategy is being used more and more. It involves combining the speed of air freight with the capacity of sea freight to optimise costs and lead times. For example, a company can send some of its urgent products by air and the rest by sea. This solution offers a balance between performance, flexibility and budget.
Why choose AEROAFFAIRES for air freight transport?

AEROAFFAIRES stands out for its expertise in chartering private cargo aircraft such as theAntonov 124, the Pilatus PC-24 and theAirbus A330-200F. With a tailor-made service available 24/7, companies benefit from personalised follow-up, immediate responsiveness and secure, made-to-measure transport, whatever the volume or destination.
In addition, AEROAFFAIRES is committed to sustainable air freight through 100% carbon offsetting, reinforcing its position as a responsible player in international freight transport.