Palletized freight on a dolly beside a widebody freighter with its rear cargo door open at sunset

Air Cargo

General Air Cargo Charter for Standard Freight

Submit one request for standard commercial freight through IONA JETS so vetted Broker Partners may assess it independently. Those brokers can review the commodity, weight, dimensions, routing and handling requirements, then return proposals through your Client Portal when suitable capacity can be sourced. IONA JETS provides the Swiss referral platform only; it does not arrange or operate transport.

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Define the shipment before aircraft sourcing begins

General cargo usually covers non-hazardous commercial goods that can travel without controlled-temperature, live-animal or exceptional outsize procedures. The label alone does not establish acceptance: packaging, dimensions, weight, value, composition, batteries, liquids and destination rules can change the classification. A Broker Partner can review the information supplied and approach operators or cargo specialists whose stated capabilities appear relevant. Providing verified package-level data at the outset also helps them identify potential restrictions, avoid unsuitable aircraft assumptions and distinguish a standard request from one requiring a specialist assessment.

Commodity profile: Provide an accurate goods description, HS code where known, number of pieces, gross and chargeable weight, dimensions, packing method and declared value. Missing or changing information can affect feasibility, aircraft options, handling assumptions and the proposed price.
Packaging and unitization: Identify loose cartons, pallets or ULD-ready freight, stacking restrictions, orientation, lifting points and sensitivity to vibration, moisture or impact. The operator and appointed handlers retain final authority over packaging suitability, loading and cargo acceptance.
Specialist categories: Declare batteries, chemicals, temperature limits, animals and exceptional dimensions at the outset. Dangerous goods, temperature-sensitive healthcare freight and heavy and outsize cargo require separate assessment and may need a specialist proposal rather than standard-cargo treatment.

Compare capacity, routing and commercial assumptions

A dedicated charter can provide capacity when scheduled freight does not suit a shipment's volume, route or handling profile. Broker Partners can compare available aircraft and routings using the submitted data. Reviewing technical stops, positioning, handling resources, schedule assumptions and included services side by side makes the proposals genuinely comparable. Payload, range, door-clearance and loading assessments are then validated against operator performance data, airport conditions and the final load plan. Accurate weights, dimensions and packing details make those comparisons reliable from the outset.

Aircraft suitability: Proposals may identify freighter categories whose stated door dimensions, hold volume, floor limits, range and payload appear compatible with the shipment. The proposed operator must confirm the aircraft, loading limits and operational suitability before contracting.
Routing variables: Departure and arrival airports, positioning, fuel stops, curfews, traffic rights, permits and handling hours can alter a routing. Direct carriage may be considered but is never guaranteed, and an alternative airport or technical stop may be required.
Proposal comparison: Review the aircraft and route assumptions, included services, exclusions, validity period, cancellation terms and estimated schedule in every proposal. Prices are set independently by Broker Partners and providers and may change until the relevant parties confirm the booking.

Prepare documentation, handling and border formalities

A viable flight proposal also depends on the shipment being ready for lawful acceptance at origin, in transit and at destination. The shipper remains responsible for complete and accurate cargo information and documents. The selected Broker Partner may coordinate confirmed third-party services within its agreed scope, while customs representatives, handlers, airports and authorities control their own processes. Identifying commodity codes, commercial documents, licenses, security status, consignee readiness and planned handovers before booking can expose missing requirements early and clarify which party must provide each document, approval or physical service.

Shipping documents: Prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, shipper and consignee details, origin information, commodity codes and any licenses or certificates applicable to the goods and trade lane. Required documents vary and must be confirmed by the responsible specialists.
Cargo acceptance: Screening, weighing, measuring, build-up and loading are performed by the appointed operator and ground-handling providers under their procedures. Cut-off times, infrastructure, labor and equipment are airport-specific and remain subject to confirmation.
Customs and surface sectors: Where requested, a Broker Partner may seek proposals that include customs representation, trucking, warehousing or other surface services. Each service is separately subject to provider availability, contract terms, insurance, border processing and local law.

Know who is responsible at every stage

Clear allocation of responsibility matters throughout a cargo charter. IONA JETS verifies Broker Partners against platform criteria and transmits eligible requests; it does not select aircraft or supervise shipments. The chosen Broker Partner conducts mission-specific sourcing and due diligence, while the operator and other providers retain responsibility for their approvals, decisions and performance. Before commitment, the proposal should identify contracting parties, carrier, handling and customs providers, included scope, exclusions and transfer points so the shipper knows where instructions, documents and operational questions should be directed.

Broker Partner: The selected Broker Partner is responsible for the proposal, operator sourcing, commercial terms, contracting and any confirmed coordination it agrees to provide. Ask it to identify every contractual provider and the scope, exclusions and liability terms that apply.
Operator and providers: The operator controls the aircraft, crew, loading limits, route and flight. Handlers, freight forwarders, customs representatives, warehouses, truckers and insurers remain independently responsible for their respective services, approvals and documents.
Shipper: The shipper must disclose the lawful contents and characteristics of the freight and provide accurate classification, packaging, marking, labeling and documentation. Undeclared, inaccurate or late information can prevent acceptance or materially change the proposal.

Frequently asked questions about general air cargo charter requests

Preparing a standard cargo charter request involves more than an origin, destination and weight. These answers explain classification, proposal inputs, pricing variables and timing without replacing advice from a Broker Partner, operator, customs specialist or handler. Availability, cargo acceptance and every operational or regulatory condition must be confirmed for the specific shipment.

What is considered general cargo for an air charter request?

General cargo usually means lawful commercial goods that do not require dangerous-goods procedures, controlled-temperature handling, live-animal arrangements or exceptional outsize loading. Examples may include properly packed retail goods, textiles, machinery parts and non-regulated consumer products. The description is only a starting point: batteries, liquids, magnets, chemicals, unusual values or destination restrictions can change the classification. The shipper must disclose the contents accurately, and the Broker Partner, operator and relevant handlers must confirm how the shipment will be treated and whether it can be accepted.

What information is needed to assess a standard cargo charter?

Provide the exact commodity description, number of pieces, gross weight, dimensions of every package, packing method, origin and destination, preferred timing, shipper and consignee details, and any known customs or handling requirements. Include photographs, packing lists and supporting documents when available. This information helps a Broker Partner approach potentially suitable providers, but it does not establish feasibility. Aircraft suitability, payload, door clearance, loading method, permits, airport capability and cargo acceptance must still be confirmed by the responsible operator, handlers and authorities.

How is the price of a general cargo charter determined?

Each Broker Partner sets its proposal independently using factors such as aircraft availability and positioning, route length, payload, fuel stops, airport and handling charges, permits, crew requirements, loading equipment, storage, customs services and any surface sectors requested. Chargeable weight alone does not determine a dedicated charter price. Compare the scope, exclusions, validity and cancellation terms as well as the total amount. IONA JETS does not set, control or guarantee prices, savings or the number of proposals that may be received.

How much lead time does a standard cargo charter require?

There is no universal lead time. It depends on accurate shipment data, aircraft positioning, crew and airport availability, loading arrangements, permits, traffic rights, customs readiness and the rules applying to the goods and route. A detailed request submitted early gives responsible parties more time to assess the mission, but no departure or delivery time is guaranteed. If the shipment is genuinely time-critical, describe the deadline precisely so Broker Partners can consider whether an express and urgent cargo proposal is feasible.

IONA JETS is a Swiss digital referral platform. It is not an air charter broker, freight forwarder, carrier, aircraft operator, ground handler, customs broker, insurer, packer, shipper, consignee or provider of any transport or related service described on this page. IONA JETS does not own, operate, charter, dispatch, load or supervise aircraft; negotiate or conclude transport contracts; or provide forwarding, customs, handling, storage, screening, packaging, certification, insurance or delivery services. The platform only makes eligible requests available to independent participating Broker Partners. Broker Partners, operators and all other third-party providers act under their own licenses, approvals, contracts, terms, procedures and insurance. IONA JETS verifies Broker Partners against platform participation criteria but neither performs nor supervises any mission-specific operator, aircraft, crew, handler, warehouse, customs, insurance or provider checks. The selected Broker Partner is solely responsible for sourcing and assessing the proposed operator, issuing its proposal, contracting and coordinating the confirmed scope. The operator retains sole operational control and responsibility for the aircraft, crew, load acceptance, loading limits, aircraft suitability, routing and performance of the flight. Other providers and authorities remain responsible for their own decisions and services. Any proposal, availability, price, routing, schedule, aircraft, capacity, payload, permit, acceptance, handling arrangement, service level and delivery estimate is determined and confirmed solely by the relevant Broker Partner and contracted providers. All remain subject to operational, technical, regulatory, customs, security, weather, airport, infrastructure and market constraints. Submitting a request does not guarantee a response, proposal, booking, aircraft, capacity, route, price, saving, departure, arrival, delivery, customs release or other result. Users must review the proposal, contractual parties, carrier identity, insurance, limitations of liability, cargo conditions, cancellation terms and supporting documents before booking. Any transport or related service is contracted directly with the identified Broker Partner and/or third-party provider. IONA JETS is not a party to those contracts and assumes no carrier, broker, forwarding, handling, customs, storage, insurance or delivery obligation. Nothing on this page constitutes legal, customs, tax, trade-control, security, dangerous-goods, packaging, insurance or technical advice. For general cargo, all descriptions and examples are indicative. The shipper remains solely responsible for the legality, accuracy and completeness of the cargo description and for classification, packaging, marking, labeling and documentation required for the shipment. A reference to standard or general cargo does not confirm that goods are non-hazardous or acceptable for air transport. Batteries, chemicals, liquids, magnets, temperature requirements, exceptional value or dimensions, origin, destination and end use can trigger additional restrictions or specialist procedures. The proposed operator and appointed handlers retain final authority over cargo acceptance, aircraft suitability, loading method, weight and balance, screening and cut-off requirements. Customs, export-control, sanctions, security and border decisions are made by the competent authorities and responsible providers. Any warehousing, trucking, customs representation, insurance, tracking or other surface service must be expressly included and contracted; its availability, scope, continuity, timing and outcome are not guaranteed. Estimated schedules and delivery indications are not commitments and may change because of aircraft positioning, permits, airport constraints, handling, customs, weather or other events outside IONA JETS' control. IONA JETS receives remuneration from a Broker Partner when a referred request results in a confirmed booking. *Cashback is available only on eligible bookings under the IONA JETS Loyalty Program terms. Eligibility, amount, timing and payment remain subject to those terms, and no cashback is earned or payable unless all applicable conditions are satisfied.