Domestic Air Cargo Companies

Aircraft as the First Constraint

In domestic air freight, aircraft type is not a technical detail. It is the first and most decisive constraint.

Before routes, schedules, or pricing are considered, aircraft capability defines what can be moved, how often, and under what conditions. Payload limits, door dimensions, range, and ground compatibility shape every downstream decision in Australia’s air cargo system.

Understanding domestic air freight therefore begins with understanding aircraft.

Narrowbody Jet Aircraft and Trunk Route Freight

Narrowbody jet aircraft form the backbone of domestic passenger networks and, by extension, a significant portion of domestic belly freight capacity.

These aircraft operate at high frequency between capital cities, making them well suited for routine, time-sensitive shipments that fit within standard cargo dimensions. Their limitations emerge when weight, density, or irregular cargo profiles are introduced.

Key characteristics include:

• Consistent daily frequency

• Limited cargo door size

• Restricted pallet compatibility

• Payload sensitivity to passenger load

Narrowbody aircraft perform best for standardised freight rather than specialised cargo.

Widebody Aircraft in Select Domestic Operations

Widebody aircraft appear selectively in Australia’s domestic market, often driven by specific demand patterns or fleet utilisation requirements.

Their larger cargo holds and wider doors allow for greater payloads and improved handling of palletised freight. When available, they provide a step change in domestic cargo capability.

However, widebody operations are limited by airport infrastructure, demand concentration, and scheduling complexity. As a result, they do not form the core of domestic air freight but serve as high-capacity supplements on certain routes.

Turboprop Aircraft and Regional Access

Turboprop aircraft are essential to domestic air freight operations beyond major metropolitan centres.

Their ability to operate from shorter runways and less-developed airports makes them indispensable for regional and remote freight. While payload capacity is lower and speed is reduced compared to jets, turboprops provide access where jet aircraft cannot operate.

These aircraft often carry mixed loads of passengers, mail, and freight, introducing additional prioritisation dynamics that affect cargo reliability.

Dedicated Freighter Aircraft

Freighter aircraft are configured specifically for cargo and represent the most flexible and capable platform for domestic air freight.

They accommodate higher payloads, oversized shipments, and dense freight profiles without competing against passenger baggage or cabin requirements. Load planning is centred entirely on cargo compatibility and operational safety.

Freighters are deployed where demand, reliability requirements, or cargo characteristics exceed the limitations of passenger aircraft.

Aircraft Configuration and Cargo Compatibility

Beyond aircraft category, configuration details matter.

Cargo door dimensions, floor strength, restraint systems, and unit load compatibility all influence what can be accepted. Two aircraft of similar size may offer very different cargo capability depending on configuration.

These differences often explain why freight is accepted on one flight and rejected on another, even when routes appear identical.

Weight, Balance, and Performance Limits

Aircraft performance limits vary with temperature, runway length, and altitude. In Australia’s climate, especially in northern and inland regions, high temperatures can significantly reduce payload capability.

These performance considerations affect:

• Maximum cargo weight

• Fuel planning

• Range and routing options

Such constraints are invisible to most shippers but play a central role in air cargo decision-making.

Matching Aircraft to Cargo Profiles

Effective domestic air freight operations depend on matching cargo profiles to aircraft capability.

Light, compact freight aligns well with high-frequency passenger services. Dense, oversized, or consolidated shipments require freighter aircraft or specialised configurations.

Misalignment between cargo and aircraft leads to delays, rollovers, or reliance on alternative transport modes.

Aircraft Choice and Network Design

Aircraft type also influences network structure. High-frequency narrowbody networks favour trunk routes. Turboprop networks extend reach into regional areas. Freighters enable overnight and time-definite services.

These layers combine to form Australia’s domestic air cargo system. No single aircraft type dominates because no single solution fits all operational requirements.