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What is the Airport of Discharge on an Air Waybill?

sahil bajaj

Sahil Bajaj

Senior Specialist - Marketing @ Shiprocket

July 19, 2024

6 min read

The airport of discharge on an air waybill is the name of the airport where the cargo is to be unloaded from the aircraft. It needs to be mentioned on the bill to facilitate accurate transportation of goods. Likewise, departure and destination airports must also be mentioned on an air waybill. This information is necessary for businesses to manage their supply chain process efficiently and avoid delays. 

In this article, we will discuss the airports of discharge, departure, and destination, and the correct procedure to identify airports. Read on to find out!

airport of discharge

Understanding Airport of Discharge and Airport of Departure

Airport of discharge and airport of departure are commonly used terms in air freight logistics. A proper understanding of these helps in managing the shipment process efficiently. Either the full name of these airports or their IATA code is mentioned on the air waybill. Let us take a closer look at the role of both these airports:

The Airport of Departure

It marks the starting point of the air freight journey. The cargo is loaded onto the aircraft at the airport of departure. Mentioning it on the air waybill enables everyone involved in the supply chain process to learn the starting point of the cargo. This information helps in logistics planning, scheduling, and determining the freight charges. It also helps identify possible risks associated with the initial handling and loading of the goods.

The Airport of Discharge

This is the airport where the cargo is unloaded from the aircraft upon arrival. Accurate information about this airport is essential for coordinating ground transportation and customs clearance. It minimises disruptions and facilitates timely deliveries. Incorrect or missing information about the airport of discharge can lead to delays. This, in turn, can increase the logistical challenges and the cost involved in the process.

Locating the Airport of Discharge/Departure

It is essential to accurately identify and document the location of the airports of discharge and departure. Let us quickly understand why:

  • As mentioned above, this information enables everyone involved in the supply chain process to understand the loading and unloading point of the shipment.
  • It helps in planning and managing of loading, unloading, and transporting goods.
  • The availability of this information enables the air freight forwarders to calculate the freight charges appropriately. This is because the distance between the departure and discharge points is important in determining these charges.
  • It is also necessary to ensure compliance with international shipping regulations.

You can locate the airports of discharge and departure by referring to the air waybills. These can also be located with the help of electronic tracking systems. Air waybills mostly have the IATA codes of these airports imprinted on them. These are unique three-letter codes assigned to each airport by the IATA. It helps simplify the airport’s identification process. On the other hand, electronic tracking systems facilitate real-time monitoring of cargo. This provides transparency about the airport of discharge and departure.

Airport of Destination on an Air Waybill

The airport of destination represents the final airport where the cargo is to be delivered. It is the place where the cargos’ journey via air transport concludes. It is important to mention the name or the IATA of the airport of destination on the air waybill for proper coordination of the shipment from its point of origin to its destination. It enables precise planning and coordination among all those involved in the shipment process. From scheduling flights to timely preparation for the arrival of the cargo, everything can be done efficiently only when they know about the airport of destination. Any errors in specifying the airport of destination can lead to significant delays and additional costs. This can impact the overall delivery timeline and customer satisfaction. It is also necessary to determine the freight charges.

  • A Guide to Identifying Airports

Identifying airports accurately is essential in air transportation and logistics. It ensures the smooth movement of passengers and cargo. Airports are identified using different methods. One of the most common methods is the use of IATA codes. International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) codes also help identify airports. Let us take a closer look at the methods to identify airports:

  • IATA Codes

IATA codes are three-letter codes assigned to airports worldwide. For instance, the IATA code for Abu Dhabi International Airport is AUH, the IATA code for Akita in Japan is AXT, the IATA code for Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is DEL, and so on. These codes come handy in several places, including passenger reservation, baggage handling, and logistics. IATA codes are easy to remember, thus helping improve communication and coordination in the aviation industry.

  • ICAO Codes

These four-letter codes that are mainly used for air traffic control and airline operations. They are handy for flight planning. Unlike IATA codes, which are often more intuitive and widely recognised by the general public, ICAO codes provide a more precise system of identification. 

For example, the ICAO code for Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is VIDP, the ICAO code for Mangalore International Airport in Mangalore is VOML, the ICAO code for Hong Kong International Airport is VHHH, and so on. 

  • Airport Names and Locations

Several airports globally have been named after the cities they serve or, prominent geographical areas of the city or, notable personalities belonging to that region. For instance, Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington has been named after Ronald Regan, the 40th president of the United States. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, West Bengal, has been named after the great Indian freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Istanbul Ataturk Airport has been named after the first Istanbul president, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. Venice Marco Polo Airport has been named after the Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. By recognising these names, one can identify the corresponding airport.

  • FAA LIDs

Airports can also be identified using FAA LIDs. However, these are valid only in the United States. These Location Identifiers (LIDs) are assigned to airports in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They consist of 3 or 4 letters and only apply to domestic flight operations. 

Conclusion

An airport of discharge is the place where the shipment is unloaded from the aircraft. The name or IATA code of this airport must be mentioned on an air waybill to ensure a smooth logistics process. Freight forwarders require this information to plan logistical movement and compute the freight forwarding charges appropriately. It helps avoid delays and ensure a smooth transition from air to ground transportation. Likewise, the airport of destination and airport of departure must also be mentioned on the air waybill. 

The Air Waybill is issued by the shipper or logistic company transporting your consignments. You can use this to get the live status of your shipments. When you seek international air freight services from leading logistics service providers like Shiprocket CargoX, you will also get the facility to track the consignment in real time on their website.

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