How to Reduce Air Freight Costs Without Compromising Speed and Quality

To reduce air freight costs without compromising speed and quality, companies can consolidate shipments, leverage route technology, negotiate prices with airlines, and consider more affordable transport alternatives.

Strategic plans, including peak shipping schedules and building relationships with trusted logistics providers, can also help increase revenue.

Let's discuss this in detail:

Optimise packaging and measurement:

Consolidate shipments: Grouping small shipments into fewer packages and large loads can reduce the cost per unit and handling.

Optimise packaging: Use packaging as efficiently as possible per unit, minimising space and weight. This reduces the tariff weight and weight dimensions of loads.

Consider less than container load (LCL) shipping:

If your business ships small quantities, LCL shipments can be a cost-effective alternative to full containers.

Strategic planning and scheduling:

Plan ahead: Avoid last-minute shipments, which usually generate high costs due to their urgency.

Ship during periods of high demand: Negotiate prices during quieter times, such as low season.

Use avoidable areas and shifts: Switching from one route to another and considering other means of transport (such as sea freight) can reduce costs.

Leverage technology and data

Use route planning software: optimise routes to minimise mileage and fuel consumption.

Use data analytics: analyse shipping data to identify areas for cost reduction and efficiency improvements.

Partner with technology providers: explore solutions to optimise shipping processes and improve visibility.

Negotiate with carriers and freight forwarders:

Build relationships: develop strong partnerships with reliable freight forwarders and negotiate favourable rates based on volume and consistency.

Request comprehensive quotes: ensure that all potential fees and charges are presented transparently.

Consider different carriers: compare quotes from multiple carriers to find the best rates and service options.

Explore alternative modes of transport:

Multimodal transport:

Combine different modes of transport (such as sea-air or rail-air) to balance cost and speed.

Consider sea freight:

For non-urgent shipments, sea freight can be a much more cost-effective option.

Monitor and improve:

Continuously monitor performance:

Track key metrics such as shipping costs, delivery times, and customer satisfaction.

Identify areas for improvement:

Periodically analyse shipping data and make adjustments to optimise processes.

Stay up to date with industry trends:

Stay informed about new technologies and best practices to reduce costs.

By implementing these strategies, companies can reduce their air freight costs without compromising speed and quality.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information.