By Vincent Wen    Photo：CANVA

In today’s increasingly complex global supply chain, businesses face rising demands for timeliness and transportation flexibility. Especially during unexpected disruptions such as extreme weather, port congestion, labor strikes, or reduced international flight capacity, charter flights have become a crucial option to quickly bridge the gap.

By leasing an aircraft, companies gain full control over routes, destinations, and scheduling, ensuring that critical cargo is not delayed by the limitations of regular flights. In recent years, examples such as the air transport of vaccines and medical supplies, the transfer of European energy commodities, and the surge in orders during cross-border e-commerce peak seasons all highlight the vital role of charter flights in maintaining market stability.

Main Types of Charter Air Freight

1. Full Charter

Enterprises or logistics providers lease an entire aircraft to fly directly from the origin to the destination. This model is ideal for bulk shipments or when direct routes are required.

Process: Reservations and traffic rights applications are usually completed several weeks before departure to allow airlines to prepare flight schedules.

Pricing Model: Costs depend on international fuel prices, flight distance, and market capacity. If there is no cargo on the return trip, expenses may rise.

Use Cases: Export of EV batteries, transportation of exhibition materials, seafood, and flowers requiring high time sensitivity.

2. Partial Charter

Multiple carriers or shippers jointly lease an aircraft, with the airline allocating cargo space among them.

Advantages: Lower cost compared to full charters; suitable for medium-sized shipments.

Limitations: Since multiple shippers are involved, schedules are less flexible and delays are more likely.

Advantages of Charter Air Freight

High Time Flexibility: Direct routes eliminate the need for transshipment, reducing damage and delays.

Secured Capacity: Guarantees cargo movement during peak seasons or when scheduled flights are overbooked.

Efficiency: Avoids multiple small shipments, minimizing handling and customs clearance time.

Custom Solutions: Ideal for cold chain products, oversized cargo, exhibition goods, or urgent deliveries.

Challenges of Charter Air Freight

High Cost: Significantly more expensive compared to sea freight or regular air freight.

Weather Risks: Typhoons, snowstorms, and other extreme weather events may still cause delays or cancellations.

Policy and Traffic Rights Restrictions: Some regions require special temporary flight approvals, adding uncertainty.

New Trends in 2025

Rise of Digital Scheduling Platforms

More airlines and logistics platforms now offer “real-time charter booking systems,” enabling businesses to compare prices, check traffic rights, and secure capacity online, greatly accelerating decision-making.

Adoption of Green Aviation

With stricter carbon emission regulations, some charter services are adopting Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to reduce their carbon footprint, attracting multinational companies focused on ESG goals.

E-commerce Driving Demand

Cross-border e-commerce continues to expand rapidly in 2025, with soaring demand from China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East boosting the need for mid-sized cargo charters.

Growing Regional Routes

Due to geopolitical shifts and the development of regional economic alliances, charter demand is rising in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America, complementing traditional networks.

Conclusion

Although charter flights remain costly and subject to certain uncertainties, their speed, direct routing, and high controllability make them indispensable in 2025’s volatile global supply chain environment. For businesses that require timely delivery and large-scale cargo movement, charter flights are no longer just an “emergency fix” but a strategic solution to navigate global logistics challenges with flexibility.

Appreciate if you could share TGL Blog among your friends who are interested in first-hand market information of supply chain and updated economic incidents.