Challenging freight expectations
Airfreight is often considered the premium choice – it’s faster delivery, but comes at a cost. However, with Germany to UK movements, that assumption doesn’t always hold.
When trial pieces needed to move from Germany to the UK, road freight was the default choice. However, when we looked at what this would actually involve, it wasn’t the best option.
New driver rules and restrictions
New driver rules mean they have regulated rest periods, so a Germany to UK road journey isn’t a straight-line calculation of distance divided by speed. Mandatory breaks extend the transit, and the crossing adds further time.
A dedicated vehicle sitting on that route for the duration carries a cost that reflects the hours involved, not just the mileage.
For this consignment, road freight meant a longer transit and a higher price than the client expected, which was a poor outcome on both counts.
Switching to airfreight
We moved the shipment onto our express airfreight connection, which used the daily Germany to UK service. Transit time reduced significantly, and the cost came in below the road alternative.
Customs was handled by our own agents who were in place at origin and destination, meaning the goods weren’t sat waiting for clearance at either end. The shipment (and its documentation) were collected in Germany, flown on the daily service and delivered quickly to the UK with clearance completed.
Road is the assumed choice for European movements, but once driver hours, crossing time and vehicle costs are factored in, air can be both faster and cheaper on the right lane. Knowing when that’s the case, and having the air network and the customs capability to act on it, is where the value sits.
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