This question concerns many companies that want to transport their goods quickly and securely by air freight. The answer depends on your specific requirements, but in most cases, you’re better off working with an air freight forwarder. We’ll explain the key differences and help you make an informed decision.

**What distinguishes freight forwarders from airlines?**
Airlines own and operate aircraft. They sell you transport capacity from point A to point B – similar to how you would buy a plane ticket as a passenger. Freight forwarders, on the other hand, organize the entire transportation process for you. They book with various airlines, handle customs formalities, and coordinate the pickup and delivery of your goods.

Imagine you want to ship machine parts from Munich to Singapore. If you book directly with the airline, you only get the flight transport. Everything else – from transport to the airport to customs clearance and delivery to your customer – you would have to organize yourself. A freight forwarder takes care of this entire logistics chain for you.

**Booking directly with airlines: What you should know**
Many airlines offer cargo services for business customers. You can book cargo capacity directly – similar to a passenger flight. This option comes with both opportunities and challenges.