Master Guide to Bike Transport by Flight

Air Cargo Flight Shipping

• Transit Time: 12 – 24 Hours
• Cost: ₹18,000 – ₹38,000 (Based on Volumetric Weight)
• Mandatory Dangerous Goods (DG) Certificate Fee
• Mandatory ISPM Plywood Crating Fee
• Self-arranged Airport Terminal Drop & Pickup

Shree Ashirwad Doorstep Road Carrier

• Transit Time: 3 – 5 Days
• Cost: ₹3,500 – ₹7,500 (All-Inclusive Fixed Fee)
• No Fuel Evacuation or Airport DG Clearances Needed
• 7-Layer Bubble & Corrugated Foam Protection
• Complete Doorstep Pickup & Doorstep Delivery

Step 1: Document Verification & Flight Slot Booking

Submit RC, insurance, and owner ID copies to secure a cargo airway slot on commercial flights.

Step 2: Fuel Evacuation & Battery Isolation

Drain petrol tank completely and disconnect battery terminals in compliance with IATA fire standards.

Step 3: Plywood Wooden Crate Construction

Build a custom wooden box with internal wheel chocks and shock foam lining around the motorcycle.

Step 4: Airport Terminal Security Screening

Deliver crate to airport cargo terminal for X-ray inspection, explosive trace detection, and DG clearance.

Step 5: Inflight Cargo Transit & Destination Pickup

Aircraft arrives at destination airport cargo bay; recipient presents Air Waybill and ID for cargo release.

Q1: Can you transport a motorcycle on a commercial passenger flight?

Motorcycles are not permitted as passenger checked baggage. They must be booked as commercial air cargo through airline cargo divisions (e.g. Indigo Cargo, Air India Cargo) or specialized freight forwarders.

Q2: What documents are required to ship a bike by air cargo flight?

You must provide original vehicle RC, valid insurance copy, owner photo ID proof, Airport Dangerous Goods (DG) Declaration Certificate, and Air Waybill (AWB).

Q3: Why is fuel tank purging mandatory for air cargo flight transport?

Air cargo regulations strictly classify gasoline and petrol vapors as Class 3 Flammable Liquids. Fuel tanks must be 100% drained, flushed, and certified zero-vapor before loading into aircraft holds.

Q4: How are air cargo flight charges for motorcycles calculated?

Charges are calculated based on volumetric weight formula (Length x Width x Height in cm / 6000) or actual dead weight, whichever is higher, plus airport terminal handling and DG documentation fees.

Q5: Is road transport safer and cheaper than flight transport for domestic Indian moves?

For 95% of domestic Indian routes, specialized enclosed car/bike carrier trucks provide 100% door-to-door delivery with 7-layer wrapping at less than 30% of air cargo costs, avoiding complex airport fuel purging requirements.

Q6: Is ISPM-15 wooden crating compulsory for air cargo motorcycle transport?

Yes. Air cargo carriers require solid heat-treated or fumigated ISPM-15 wooden crates to prevent cargo shift during aircraft taxiing, takeoff, and air turbulence.

Q7: How long does air cargo motorcycle shipping take in India?

Flight transit itself takes only 2 to 6 hours between major metro airports. However, dangerous goods inspection, customs clearance, and terminal handovers require 24 to 48 total hours.

Q8: Can battery terminals remain connected during air transport?

No. Aircraft safety rules mandate disconnecting lead-acid or lithium-ion battery terminals and insulating terminals with electrical tape to avoid accidental sparking in pressurized flight holds.

Q9: Are superbike fairings safe inside air cargo wooden crates?

Yes, provided the motorcycle is anchored to a heavy wooden base pallet using high-tensile ratchet straps and padded with 80 GSM bubble wrap prior to outer timber panel assembly.

Q10: Why choose Shree Ashirwad Packers over direct air cargo bookings?

Shree Ashirwad handles end-to-end logistics: doorstep collection, professional packing, airport DG certification, Air Waybill generation, and destination delivery without terminal hassle.