Cargo aircraft in logistics: capacity and freight organization

When delivery time is a priority, a cargo aircraft becomes a key element of global supply chains. Unlike alternative solutions, it allows you to minimize intercontinental transport, eliminating the risk of downtime.

Air transport means

Various means of air transport are used in the transport industry. Some smaller loads travel in the belly of passenger planes (this is called Belly Cargo). However, for heavy, oversized or requiring strict security procedures, a full-size cargo aircraft (Freighter) is the only effective choice.

The design of a typical freighter differs from passenger aircraft in several key details:

• no seats and windows on the main deck,
• reinforced floor with an automated ball roller and lock system,
• large loading doors.

A detailed breakdown of operational models and the classification of air shipments can be found in our article on types of air transport.

Cargo plane capacity and ULD standardization

The efficiency offered by a modern cargo aircraft is the result of advanced standardization. To maximize the use of space inside the rounded fuselage, goods are formed on special pallets or in containers known as ULD (Unit Load Devices).

The dimensions and shapes of ULDs are closely matched to the internal profile of the aircraft. Thanks to the roller system in the freighter’s floor, loading several dozen tons of goods packed on ULDs usually takes less than 90 minutes. This translates into a drastic reduction in ground handling time and lower operating costs.

The largest cargo aircraft and fleet comparison

For a long time, the undisputed leader in terms of size was the six-engine Antonov An-225 Mriya – a unique machine because there was only one completed copy of this giant in the world. After Mriya left the global aviation registers, its place on the podium was taken by mass-produced structures.

Currently, the title is divided into two categories – machines with a transport-military origin and strictly commercial structures:

1. Antonov An-124 Ruslan (Largest currently): This four-engine model replaced the legendary An-225 as the largest mass-produced transport aircraft in the world.
   – Capacity: up to 150 tons.
   – Application: Used in the commercial market and by the armed forces to transport the heaviest oversized loads, such as industrial turbines, locomotives or mining infrastructure components.
2. Boeing 747-8F (Largest civilian): It is the largest mass-produced cargo plane from Western markets. Although it is based on the design of the famous passenger “Jumbo Jet”, the version with the letter “F” (Freighter) is designed from scratch and dedicated exclusively to commercial transport of goods.
   – Capacity: up to 137.7 tons.
   – Length: 76.3 meters.
   – Characteristics: It has a unique, raised nose of the fuselage, which, combined with side cargo doors, allows airlines to efficiently load both standard containers and items of unusual length.

Cargo fleet parameters comparison: