Air cargo handling is the coordinated process of moving freight from a truck dock through a terminal and onto an aircraft safely, quickly, and accurately. It matters because aircraft time on the ground is expensive, cargo capacity is limited, and mistakes can delay entire supply chains. A modern air cargo terminal combines warehouse operations, security screening, documentation, and ramp equipment into one tightly timed system.
The main goal is to keep freight traceable while protecting people, aircraft, and cargo.
Key Facts
- Turnaround time = aircraft departure time - aircraft arrival time.
- Cargo utilization = loaded cargo weight / maximum allowable cargo weight.
- ULD volume utilization = cargo volume / ULD internal volume.
- Payload limit = maximum takeoff weight - operating empty weight - fuel weight.
- Throughput rate = total cargo processed / processing time.
- Center of gravity must remain within the aircraft loading envelope for safe flight.
Vocabulary
- Unit Load Device
- A Unit Load Device, or ULD, is a standardized container or pallet used to group cargo for loading into an aircraft.
- High loader
- A high loader is a powered ramp vehicle that raises ULDs from ground level to the height of an aircraft cargo door.
- Build-up area
- The build-up area is the terminal zone where loose freight is assembled, weighed, secured, and assigned to ULDs.
- Cargo manifest
- A cargo manifest is the official list of shipments loaded on an aircraft, including weights, destinations, and handling requirements.
- Ramp
- The ramp is the airport apron area where aircraft are parked, serviced, loaded, and unloaded.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring the ULD weight limit, which is wrong because both the container limit and the aircraft position limit must be respected to prevent structural damage.
- Loading cargo by destination only, which is wrong because weight balance, compatibility, priority, and special handling rules also control the loading plan.
- Treating screening as a final optional step, which is wrong because unsecured or undocumented freight may be rejected before it can enter the airside cargo flow.
- Forgetting to update the cargo manifest after changes, which is wrong because the flight crew and load planners need accurate weights and shipment records before departure.
Practice Questions
- 1 A cargo terminal processes 96 metric tons of freight in 8 hours. What is the average throughput rate in metric tons per hour?
- 2 A ULD has a maximum allowable weight of 6800 kg. The empty ULD weighs 350 kg, and cargo pieces total 6120 kg. How much remaining weight capacity is available?
- 3 A shipment of lithium batteries is ready at the truck dock while general cargo is already being built into ULDs. Explain why the batteries may need a separate handling path before aircraft loading.