Air freight is the fastest international transport mode, used when time-to-market outweighs cost considerations. MSI-Trans operates as an IATA-accredited forwarder with direct airline contracts, providing door-to-door air cargo services for urgent shipments, high-value goods, perishables, and time-sensitive industrial components.
Air Freight Service Levels
Standard air freight delivers within 3–7 days. Express air service compresses transit to 1–3 days with priority handling at origin and destination airports. Charter flights and next-flight-out (NFO) service are available for emergency shipments. MSI-Trans matches service level to cargo urgency and budget.
Cargo Types Handled
We move general cargo, temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals (CEIV Pharma compliant), live animals under IATA LAR standards, dangerous goods under IATA DGR rules, high-value cargo with secure chain-of-custody, and oversized aircraft-limit pieces via 747F and 777F freighters.
Pricing Model
Air freight is billed on chargeable weight — the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight calculated at 1:167 (1 m³ = 167 kg). Rates include terminal handling, security screening, fuel and war-risk surcharges, and customs entry. MSI-Trans provides all-inclusive quotes with no hidden fees at destination.
Airport Coverage
We operate through Istanbul (IST/SAW), Frankfurt (FRA), Liège (LGG), Budapest (BUD), Amsterdam (AMS) and Dubai (DXB) as primary hubs, with onward air connectivity to 300+ destinations worldwide. Direct uplift agreements with Turkish Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and Qatar Airways Cargo guarantee capacity even during peak seasons.
Documentation and Compliance
Every air shipment requires a Master Air Waybill (MAWB) and House Air Waybill (HAWB). MSI-Trans handles pre-lodgement electronic customs filings (ICS2 for EU imports, ACAS for US imports), dangerous goods declarations, and security validation under RA3 / KC3 regimes.
Why MSI-Trans for Air Freight
IATA accreditation, direct airline contracts at guaranteed capacity, 24/7 shipment tracking portal, bonded warehousing at primary gateway airports, and 100+ years of accumulated forwarding experience. We combine the speed of air cargo with the reliability of a senior logistics partner.
How the Service Works
- Booking confirmation with space + rate lock
- Origin trucking to airport cargo terminal
- Security screening + customs export
- Flight uplift, arrival handling, customs import
- Last-mile delivery to consignee
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is air freight vs ocean?
Air freight from Istanbul to New York is 1–3 days vs 18–22 days by ocean. For time-sensitive cargo, air pays back through inventory savings and shelf-life preservation.
What is chargeable weight in air freight?
IATA calculates volumetric weight at 1:167 (1 m³ = 167 kg). The greater of actual weight or volumetric weight is billed.
Can you handle dangerous goods by air?
Yes. MSI-Trans is IATA DGR certified and handles classes 1–9 except forbidden items. Every shipment requires proper UN packaging, labels, and Dangerous Goods Declaration.
How does pharmaceutical air freight differ?
CEIV Pharma certified, temperature-controlled from origin to destination with continuous cold chain monitoring. Validated packaging options include PCM, dry ice, and active containers.
Related Services
Trusted by Turkish and European Businesses
MSI-Trans serves manufacturers, retailers, and industrial exporters across Türkiye, EU, UK and beyond. Since 1924, we have built our reputation on reliability, transparent pricing, and single-point accountability.
