Air cargo is big business at London Heathrow Airport, with over 1.5 million cubic tonnes of cargo, worth around £133 billion per year, travelling through the airport annually. But with additional security measures implemented in airports worldwide over recent years, specialist support is required from an air cargo courier to support airport cargo collection.
After opening our London office in late 2020, we were able to begin supporting Heathrow Airport with the facilitation of their lost luggage delivery service. As well as this, we have now begun to support Heathrow airport and Manchester airport, among other local airports, with an air cargo delivery service.
With our aviation courier service, we are able to support the aviation industry with air cargo deliveries, by coordinating, handling and moving cargo from a point of collection to delivery.
What Is Air Cargo?
The transportation of goods through an aircraft, known as air cargo or air freight, enables the express movement of shipments across the globe. Much faster than sea freight services, air cargo services are used more frequently for goods with a short shelf life or in urgent demand, notable more recently with the surge in requirement for emergency medical equipment. That being the case, upon arrival at the Heathrow cargo terminal, fast movement of air cargo out of the cargo sheds and onto its destination is imperative. The longer cargo is awaiting collection, the more costly and inefficient it becomes for the customer.
What Are The Types of Air Cargo?
There are two core types of air cargo – special and general.
Special air cargo includes cargo that must be transported with unique requirements and requires special handling or protection. This can include heavy-weight items, dangerous goods, temperature-controlled goods, hazardous materials, human specimens (including human tissue samples, organs, blood samples) and live animals.
On the other hand, general cargo also needs to be handled with the utmost care but does not involve strict handling procedures. General cargo includes electronics, machinery, consumer goods, retail goods, hardware, toys, textiles or clothing.
Our Air Cargo Service
At Crown SDS, our aviation courier service means that airports and those within the aviation industry have exactly what they need, at the right time.
At Heathrow Airport, in particular, we have been able to provide an air cargo service with direct access to secure cargo sheds. This allows us to provide a seamless service to airline cargo operators and freight forwarders.
As mentioned above, cargo shipped by aviation typically has a shorter shelf life, which is why the cargo must be moved quickly and without delays. As a cargo courier service, we step in to keep the movement of cargo running smoothly and as quickly as possible without unnecessary delays and waiting times.
With airports now experiencing a sharp increase in air traffic movements of cargo, we provide additional support to move incoming products quickly to nationwide destinations. Our fast and efficient aviation couriers have been vital to the aviation industry.
We are able to support and cater to any requirements relating to air cargo, as well as lost luggage delivery or sourcing spare parts and components when they are needed most.
Our baggage repatriation service allows us to reunite passengers with delayed or misrouted baggage, while our dedicated same-day courier service means that we are able to supply aeroplane parts and components as and when they are needed, leaving airlines with reduced delays and waiting times for passengers.
How Do We Ensure Security Of Air Cargo?
A fast and efficient Heathrow Airport cargo collection service relies upon having a logistical partner, with readily available vehicles and drivers, who hold full security-clearance and access to high-security airport locations. Protected under the Department of Transport Guidelines, high-security areas such as airport cargo sheds can only be accessed by personnel with airport access, provided by a specialist air cargo courier.
Crown SDS drivers undertake specialist Cargo Security Awareness training, which provides us with fast access to collect cargo from Heathrow Airport. This service enables us to offer a seamless product to freight forwarders and cargo operators, by taking on full co-ordination, handling and movement of cargo from point of collection to delivery.
How Can We Support?
Our London regional team operate from a dedicated office based within London Heathrow airport. Having an on-site team means we are always on hand to support with Heathrow cargo collections and deliveries and ensure our air cargo same-day courier service runs smoothly.
Our experience in the sector means we can support and cater to your exact air cargo courier requirements and find a solution that works for you. Plus, with our efficient logistical solutions and innovative technologies, we can help to support the initiative to make air cargo operations cleaner, greener and more sustainable.
If you would like to receive a quote for our Air Cargo courier services or one of our other Aviation and AOG services, call 0300 303 5260 or email heathrowcourier@crownsds.com to make a booking.