Specialized Services
Indirect Air Carrier
Air freight alongside our ground services, for faster processing of time-critical shipments.
What is an Indirect Air Carrier?
An Indirect Air Carrier (IAC) is a company that is not an airline itself but plays a pivotal role in moving air cargo. IACs act as intermediaries, much like freight forwarders, arranging the movement of goods by air on behalf of shippers.
RS Group became an IAC to broaden what we can do for our customers. Alongside our ground transportation services, we now offer air freight, so a shipment that cannot wait for the road has another way to move, arranged by the same team.
Why we became an Indirect Air Carrier
Expanded scope
Becoming an IAC broadens our operations and the range of services we offer, letting us tap into the air cargo market and give clients more options for shipping their goods.
More ways to move
In addition to our existing ground transportation services, we now offer air freight, which makes RS Group a more complete option for moving cargo.
A competitive edge
We can provide integrated logistics solutions that include air freight, which sets us apart from providers without that capability.
Regulatory compliance
Becoming an IAC requires meeting specific regulatory requirements and obtaining the necessary approvals. RS Group has invested in compliance so we can operate legally and safely as an IAC.
Strategic partnerships
Our IAC status lets us build partnerships with airlines and other key players in air cargo, which are essential for securing space on flights, negotiating favorable rates, and handling goods smoothly.
Air freight
Air freight with RS Group
In the United States, Indirect Air Carriers work under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), whose IAC program sets the security requirements for cargo that flies on passenger aircraft. Meeting them is part of the compliance an IAC takes on, and RS Group operates as a TSA-known brokerage.
For shippers, that means air freight is booked through the same team that handles your ground freight, with one point of contact from booking to delivery.
Our 80,000 square foot Atlanta warehouse sits on the city’s south side, within 30 minutes of the world’s busiest airport.
How air freight is priced
Air freight is priced on chargeable weight: the greater of the shipment’s actual weight and its dimensional weight, which is worked out from its length, width, and height. Light, bulky freight is often charged for the space it takes rather than what it weighs, so accurate dimensions make for an accurate quote.
Distance, how soon it has to arrive, and any special handling also shape the rate. When the deadline allows, we will tell you if expedited ground can get it there for less.
What to send for an air freight quote
- Where it ships from and where it is going (city and ZIP code, or the airports).
- The number of pieces, with the length, width, height, and weight of each.
- What the freight is, and whether any of it is hazardous.
- When it will be ready, and when it has to arrive.
- Any special handling, such as fragile or temperature-sensitive cargo.
Ground and air, one team
An Indirect Air Carrier is a crucial link in air cargo transportation. For RS Group it means more complete logistics: when a deadline calls for air, we can arrange it, and when the road makes more sense, we can expedite it on the ground.
Tell us what you need to move, where, and by when, and we will recommend the fastest sensible option.
Need it there fast?
Talk to our team about air freight and time-critical shipping.