How Does Air Freight Tracking Work?
Category: Blog
Air freight tracking works by using the Air Waybill (AWB) number, integrated tracking platforms, and advanced technologies like GPS, RFID, and IoT sensors to monitor a shipment's journey from origin to destination. Data is gathered at various checkpoints, such as airports and during transit, then transmitted to online platforms for real-time updates on location, status, and estimated arrival times.
Key components of air freight tracking:
- Air Waybill (AWB):
This document provides a unique tracking number for the shipment and serves as a contract of carriage between the shipper, airline, and consignee.
- Tracking Technologies:
- GPS: Provides real-time location data for the shipment.
- RFID/Barcodes: Scans at various points in the supply chain capture and transmit the location and status of the cargo.
- IoT Sensors: Placed on cargo containers to provide real-time data on location and environmental conditions (like temperature and humidity).
- Tracking Platforms:
These online systems collect data from various sources and provide stakeholders with a centralized, user-friendly platform to view real-time shipment information.
- Data Integration:
Modern systems integrate with airlines and freight forwarders through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to pull all tracking data into one place.
How the process unfolds:
- 1. Data Entry:
When cargo is scheduled, an AWB is issued with a unique tracking number.
- 2. Scanning and Monitoring:
Throughout the journey, the cargo is scanned using barcodes or RFID, and IoT devices provide continuous location and condition data.
- 3. Information Transmission:
Data from scanners and sensors is transmitted to a central system for storage.
- 4. Real-Time Updates:
The tracking platform processes this information to provide real-time updates on the shipment's location, status (e.g., in customs), and estimated time of arrival (ETA).
- 5. Visibility and Management:
Shippers and other stakeholders can access this information online to monitor the shipment's progress, anticipate delays, and manage their supply chain more effectively.
