Cargo movements fail on the ground far more often than in the air. The loader at the field cannot reach the door height, the dangerous goods declaration is rejected on a technicality, customs holds the shipment because the consignee details do not match, or the temperature-controlled unit sits on an unshaded apron for three hours.
LFS plans the ground side against the actual load. We confirm loader, forklift and dolly capability against door dimensions and package weight, arrange apron space and crane access for outsize items, verify dangerous goods documentation and packaging against the current regulations before the shipment reaches the airport, and brief the handling agent on what is arriving and how it must be handled.
Sensitive shipments get sensitive treatment: temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals with cold-chain continuity across the ramp, live animals with welfare requirements and veterinary clearance, valuables and high-security cargo with escorted transfer, and human remains handled with the documentation and dignity required. Customs, import and transit formalities are pre-cleared with brokers at both ends so the aircraft is not held on the ground waiting for paper.
What LFS arranges
Load-matched equipment
Loaders, forklifts, dollies and cranes verified against real door and package dimensions.
Dangerous goods
Documentation and packaging checked against current regulations before the shipment ships.
Cold chain
Temperature-controlled handling with continuity across the ramp and into the aircraft.
Live animals & valuables
Welfare, veterinary clearance and escorted secure transfer as required.
Customs clearance
Brokers engaged at both ends so formalities do not hold the aircraft.
Build-up & breakdown
Pallet and ULD build-up before departure and breakdown on arrival arranged with the station's cargo handler, subject to warehouse capacity and confirmation.
ULD & pallet coordination
ULD types, contour and serviceability checked against the aircraft and the handler's stock; positioning of empty units arranged where needed.
Loading supervision
An LFS or appointed supervisor attends loading and offloading where available, checking the load plan, restraint and documentation against the NOTOC.
Loadmaster arrangements
Where the operator does not carry its own loadmaster, a qualified local loadmaster can be arranged through vetted providers, subject to station availability.
Where we deliver it
WorldwideAt every airport, worldwide. LFS-operated stations are staffed by our own teams; everywhere else the service is delivered through agents we have vetted and audited, coordinated by the same LFS duty desk so you deal with one operations contact rather than a chain of suppliers.
This describes the coordination network, not guaranteed local facilities or unrestricted service availability. The requested service, provider, access conditions and any approvals must be confirmed for your airport, aircraft and dates before the arrangement is treated as secured.
Define the air cargo handling scope before quoting
An aircraft movement and a cargo movement are related, but they are not the same booking. A freighter can have permits and handling confirmed while the shipment still lacks warehouse acceptance, suitable loading equipment or customs release. Identify whether the request covers export acceptance, import breakdown, a transit transfer, direct ramp loading or supervision of an existing handler. Each has different access, staffing and timing dependencies.
LFS coordinates the ground-side plan with the operator, handler and relevant specialist providers. The enquiry should show what is already contracted and what remains open, so responsibilities are not duplicated. An equipment request or warehouse enquiry is not confirmation that a station can accept every load. Aircraft suitability, load control, cargo acceptance and regulatory approvals remain with the responsible operator, handler, shipper and authority.
Oversized cargo, door clearance and equipment matching
Provide packed dimensions and gross weight for each piece, not just the total consignment. Include lifting points, centre-of-gravity information where available, floor-bearing constraints, orientation restrictions and whether pieces can be separated. Photos and technical drawings can help the handler assess an unusual load, but they do not replace the operator's approved loading and restraint assessment. A package that fits through the door may still require a different loading sequence or restraint solution.
Equipment planning should consider loader platform height, rated capacity, forklift access, dollies, cranes and the path between the warehouse and aircraft. Identify whether special equipment must be brought from outside the airport and whether its access needs separate permission. The aircraft operator must assess aircraft limitations and loading procedures; LFS can coordinate the information exchange and seek a station response, without declaring an unverified aircraft/load combination acceptable.
Dangerous-goods coordination without changing responsibilities
Flag dangerous goods at the start of the enquiry, including the proper shipping information supplied by the shipper, packaging details, quantities and any special handling conditions. Documentation and acceptance requirements depend on the commodity, aircraft, operator and route. A commercial cargo quote does not constitute dangerous-goods approval, and a last-minute label cannot resolve an incorrectly classified or packaged shipment.
The shipper remains responsible for its classification, packing and declaration duties, while the operator and accepting handler apply their applicable acceptance procedures and restrictions. LFS coordinates specialist questions, documentation exchanges and station arrangements; it does not replace those regulated roles or claim blanket certification. Discuss discrepancies before the cargo reaches the airport and use the applicable current rules, rather than a copied declaration from a previous trip.
Live animals and temperature-sensitive shipments
Live-animal handling needs a brief that identifies species, numbers, container specifications, accompanying personnel and the relevant veterinary or import documentation. Acceptance, welfare arrangements and any transit restrictions should be assessed before the routing is committed. Request confirmation of the available handling environment and contingency arrangements; do not assume a station has animal facilities simply because it handles cargo flights.
For pharmaceuticals, perishables or other temperature-sensitive cargo, specify the required temperature range, packaging system, monitoring arrangements and allowable exposure time. Separate warehouse storage, ramp transit and onboard carriage: a cold room does not by itself establish a continuous cold chain. Ask who receives the shipment at each handover, how delays are managed and who is authorised to make a disposition decision if a limit is exceeded. Product suitability and release decisions remain with the responsible shipment parties.
ULDs, loading supervision and customs handovers
Confirm the ULD or pallet type, contour, quantity and whether empty units need positioning. The operator and handler should verify compatibility, serviceability, build-up requirements and restraint against their procedures. Where a loadmaster or loading supervisor is requested, clarify qualifications required by the operator, attendance period and reporting scope. Supervision is not the same as supplying equipment or issuing the final load sheet.
Customs and warehouse arrangements should identify the broker, shipper, consignee and party authorised to release the cargo. Give the expected cargo-ready time and any cut-off separate from the aircraft departure time. Missing consignee details, unresolved import permission or late release can affect the ground plan even when the aircraft is on schedule. Track cargo readiness alongside handling, permits and crew timing rather than treating paperwork as a final check at the aircraft door.
Information required for a special-load enquiry
A practical cargo brief should allow the operator and station to assess the same load. Where details are preliminary, identify the assumptions and provide a named contact who can resolve technical questions.
- Origin, destination and transit airports; dates, aircraft schedule and cargo-ready time with time zone.
- Aircraft type, registration, operator and flight purpose; contracted handler and load-control contacts.
- Commodity, piece count, packed dimensions and weight per piece; lifting and orientation constraints.
- Dangerous-goods details where applicable; temperature limits, live-animal or security requirements.
- ULDs, loader or crane needs, build-up/breakdown scope and requested supervision or loadmaster attendance.
- Shipper, consignee and customs-broker contacts; documentation status and known import/transit restrictions.
Plan contingencies and keep service boundaries clear
If the preferred station cannot confirm the required equipment or acceptance window, assess an alternative airport before dispatching the load. Compare repositioning, onward transport, storage, crew and revised permissions rather than the handling rate alone. A delay plan should identify who can approve changes and how temperature-sensitive, live-animal or high-security cargo will be protected while a decision is made.
This page concerns cargo ground handling and special-load coordination. Whole-trip freighter arrangements, aircraft movement support and charter-operation planning are separate scopes. Keeping the aircraft booking and shipment acceptance records distinct gives the operator a clearer picture of what has been confirmed and what still depends on a handler, specialist or authority.
Frequently asked
- Can you support cargo at airports without cargo facilities?
- Often yes — we bring in the equipment and manpower needed, or plan the movement through the nearest field that is properly equipped and cost the difference.
- Do you handle dangerous goods approvals?
- We verify documentation and packaging and coordinate with the operator and authorities; the shipper remains responsible for the declaration.
- Is temperature-controlled handling available worldwide?
- Where the station supports it, yes; where it does not, we plan the routing and ground time so the cold chain holds.
- Is a cargo handling quote an acceptance approval?
- No. The operator and accepting handler must assess the load and applicable requirements. A quote identifies scope and costs; unresolved equipment, documentation or acceptance conditions still need confirmation.
- Can one total weight support an oversized-load quote?
- Usually not. Supply dimensions and weight per packed piece, plus lifting and orientation constraints, so the operator and station can assess loading equipment and the handling sequence.
- Does supervision transfer load-control responsibility to LFS?
- No. The agreed supervisor observes and reports within its scope. The operator and responsible load-control or handling parties retain their assigned loading and acceptance responsibilities.
Related pages
Request a quote for your flight
Send your airport, aircraft details, schedule and service requirements through the existing LFS request form. Include the relevant checklist above so the trip desk can seek a provider-confirmed scope and quote. Availability, charges and any required approvals remain subject to confirmation.
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