KLM tracking

Dutch air freight of the Air France-KLM group

KLM Cargo is the air freight division of the Dutch company KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. With over a century of experience (KLM was founded in 1919) and integrated into the Air France-KLM group, KLM Cargo is a major player in the transportation of goods by air. It offers a full range of freight services, transporting various goods to all corners of the world. KLM Cargo operates both via dedicated all-cargo aircraft and via the holds of KLM passenger aircraft and its partners, allowing for extensive global coverage.

History

KLM's cargo activity dates back to the early days of the company. From the first years, KLM transported mail and goods on its routes, notably between the Netherlands and its colonies. In 1924, KLM inaugurated one of the first intercontinental air routes, linking Amsterdam to Jakarta (Indonesia), transporting passengers, mail, and freight over an unprecedented distance for the time. Over the decades, KLM expanded its network and modernized its fleet, transitioning to jet aircraft in the late 1950s, which accelerated and intensified air freight exchanges.

Throughout its history, KLM Cargo has been able to innovate and overcome various challenges (World War II, liberalization of air transport, economic crises) to maintain its position. A major turning point occurred in 2004 when KLM merged with Air France, giving birth to the Air France-KLM group. From that date, the cargo activities of the two companies were gradually unified. KLM Cargo and Air France Cargo joined forces to create a common entity, often referred to as Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo. In 2005, the commercial and operational cargo teams were integrated, forming a unified cargo network.

The group was also strengthened with the addition of the Dutch company Martinair, a freight specialist. KLM had taken stakes in Martinair since the 1960s and became the majority shareholder in 2008. Martinair, founded in 1958, gradually focused on cargo transport. Its integration increased the all-cargo fleet available in Amsterdam. In 2009, the new Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo entity made a mark by becoming the launch customer of the Boeing 777 Freighter, receiving the first example of this new generation cargo aircraft. More recently, in 2023, the Air France-KLM group partnered with CMA CGM Air Cargo in a strategic joint venture to further expand its air freight capabilities and network.

Structure and organization

Today, KLM Cargo is an integral part of the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo entity, which encompasses all air freight activities of the Air France-KLM group. Although the KLM Cargo and Air France Cargo brands are still used in their respective markets, management is centralized. The group's common "Cargo Management Team" oversees cargo operations in a unified manner. The group's cargo management is led by a common manager (Adriaan den Heijer for Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo, group side, and Christophe Boucher for the Air France Cargo entity). This unified structure allows offering customers a harmonized offer and identical services regardless of the entry point (Amsterdam or Paris). KLM Cargo thus benefits from the synergies of the Air France-KLM group while retaining its expertise and Dutch heritage.

Main sorting centers

The main sorting center of KLM Cargo is Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport (AMS) in the Netherlands. The historical heart of KLM's operations, Schiphol is one of the largest cargo airports in Europe. The Schiphol sorting center is located in close proximity to Royal FloraHolland, the largest flower market in the world, which facilitates the rapid export of flowers and other fresh products from the Netherlands.

Within the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo group, Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in France is the other major hub. CDG, also among the world's top cargo sorting centers, is located an hour from Rungis, the largest fresh produce market in the world, facilitating the distribution of perishable goods arriving by air. These two sorting centers, only 400 km apart, work in tandem to effectively cover Europe and connect the group's cargo network to six continents. Modern facilities are dedicated to freight: large-capacity warehouses (over 200,000 m² in total), temperature-controlled areas for sensitive products, X-ray screening devices, and specialized teams to ensure fast and secure handling of goods.

Cargo fleet

To transport freight, KLM Cargo has a diverse fleet combining all-cargo aircraft and belly capacity of passenger aircraft. Within Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo, several dedicated cargo aircraft operate from the Amsterdam and Paris sorting centers. Historically, KLM has operated Boeing 747 Combi (mixed passenger-cargo aircraft) and Boeing 747-400F all-cargo aircraft to transport large goods on long-haul routes. Currently, the group's dedicated cargo fleet includes Boeing 777F and Boeing 747-400ERF/BCF operated by Martinair on behalf of KLM Cargo. These aircraft offer large capacity (over 100 tons of payload per flight) and are used on high-volume cargo routes.

Moreover, almost all of KLM's long-haul passenger flights contribute to the cargo offer by carrying freight in their holds. KLM and Air France utilize about 400 passenger aircraft (from the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to the Airbus A350, including the Boeing 777 and A330) to transport freight in addition to passengers. This combined approach allows for high flexibility and shipment frequency, even to destinations without dedicated cargo aircraft.

The all-cargo fleet is set to modernize in the coming years. Air France-KLM has ordered new Airbus A350F (cargo version of the A350) to renew and strengthen its all-cargo capabilities while improving energy efficiency. Thanks to these investments and optimal use of belly capacity, KLM Cargo can transport over a million tons of goods per year.

Services and types of freight transported

KLM Cargo offers a full range of freight transport services, tailored to the varied needs of shippers. The offers include standard services for general freight, express solutions for urgent shipments, and specialized services for cargo requiring special attention. For example, a standard shipment allows for the economical transport of non-perishable goods, while critical products can benefit from priority express treatment ensuring reduced lead times. Additionally, the "customized" service allows for the design of tailor-made logistics solutions for specific or oversized requests.

The cargo division of KLM is particularly recognized for its expertise in transporting sensitive or high-value goods. It has developed dedicated protocols and infrastructure for several categories of specialized freight:

• Pharmaceutical and medical products: KLM Cargo ensures the secure transport of temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines, and medical equipment. Its Amsterdam and Paris sorting centers are IATA CEIV Pharma certified, ensuring the maintenance of the cold chain and compliance with good pharmaceutical practices throughout the journey.
• Fresh and perishable products: Whether it's cut flowers, fruits and vegetables, seafood, or other perishable goods, KLM Cargo has "cool chain" solutions to quickly transport these goods while preserving their freshness. Refrigerated warehouses, special containers, and processing priorities are in place to minimize time out of temperature control.
• Live animals: The transport of live animals (pets, competition horses, livestock, or zoo animals) is managed by KLM Cargo with the utmost care. The company strictly follows IATA Live Animals regulations and has trained personnel to ensure the well-being of animals during the journey (appropriate ventilation, comfort, food, etc.). An animal transit center, the "Animal Hotel" at Schiphol, offers a dedicated space for rest and veterinary care if necessary during stopovers.
• Dangerous goods: KLM Cargo is authorized to transport dangerous goods (chemicals, flammable substances, lithium batteries, etc.) in accordance with IATA DGR regulations. Its staff is trained in the safe handling of these special shipments. Each shipment of this type is carefully packaged, labeled, and stored according to strict protocols to ensure safety in flight.
• Valuables and precious items: Shipments containing high-value items (such as jewelry, works of art, luxury watches, high-end electronic equipment, or sensitive documents) benefit from enhanced security measures. KLM Cargo offers high-security services, including secure storage areas, increased tracking, and discreet handling to ensure the protection of these sensitive cargoes.
• Industrial equipment and aeronautical parts: The company regularly transports aeronautical spare parts, industrial machinery, heavy or oversized equipment. Thanks to its long-haul fleet and the experience of its teams in out-of-gauge loading, KLM Cargo can transport large cargoes (e.g., aircraft engines, satellites, vehicles) requiring adapted logistics solutions (specific pallets, cargo charter flights if needed).
• Automobiles and vehicles: The transport of luxury cars, prototype vehicles, or racing cars is also offered. KLM Cargo uses specific containers and pallets to secure and protect automobiles during the flight. These shipments are subject to special precautions, particularly against shocks and for the protection of finishes.
• Mail and post: As a partner of many national postal services, KLM Cargo also transports international mail and postal parcels in its holds. This air postal service allows for the rapid distribution of letters and small packages worldwide, complementing terrestrial postal networks.

Thanks to this range of specialized products (pharma, fresh, animals, value, etc.), KLM Cargo can meet the requirements of many industrial sectors. The company also offers ancillary services such as real-time tracking, cargo insurance, customs formalities management, or refrigerated container rental, to provide a complete logistics solution to its customers.

Global presence and network

KLM Cargo benefits from the vast global network of KLM and Air France, as well as their SkyTeam Cargo alliance partners. Through the combination of all-cargo flights and passenger flights, the Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo group serves over 300 destinations worldwide, covering Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Oceania. KLM's historical presence in distant markets (Southeast Asia, Indian Ocean, Latin America, East Africa) and Air France's routes (North America, Francophone Africa, etc.) complement each other to offer global connectivity.

In addition to its own flights, KLM Cargo relies on capacity-sharing agreements and partnerships with other companies. A founding member of SkyTeam Cargo (cargo alliance launched in 2000), KLM Cargo cooperates with carriers such as Delta Cargo, Korean Air Cargo, China Southern Cargo, and Aeroméxico Cargo to extend the reach of its services. For example, in partnership with Kenya Airways Cargo, KLM has strengthened its coverage of the African continent. KLM Cargo customers can ship their goods to over 150 countries, with the guarantee of handling within the integrated network of the group and its allies. KLM Cargo's main markets include the export of flowers and fresh food products from East Africa to Europe, the transport of manufactured and electronic products from Asia to Europe and North America, and the transport of luxury and industrial products from Europe to Asia and America.

Logistics innovations

KLM Cargo has continuously invested in innovation to optimize the air freight supply chain. Early on, the company adopted digital tools to facilitate information exchange and capacity booking. For example, KLM Cargo is one of the pioneering carriers in the use of the electronic air waybill (e-AWB), reducing paper usage and speeding up shipment processing. Additionally, it offers its customers the myCargo online platform, a web portal where shippers and forwarders can book shipments, submit necessary documents, track their parcels in real-time, and manage any irregularities 24/7.

Traceability is a major axis of innovation: KLM Cargo uses advanced tracking technologies (barcode scanners, RFID tags on containers, automatic updates) to inform in real-time of the position and status of the cargo. Proactive notifications can be sent to customers at each key stage of transport (departure, arrival, availability, etc.). On the physical logistics side, KLM Cargo has continuously improved its warehouses and equipment: automated sorting, computerized warehouse management systems, electric handling vehicles, and more efficient temperature-controlled areas. It has also forged innovative partnerships, such as the Holland Flower Alliance bringing together KLM Cargo, the Schiphol sorting center, and Royal FloraHolland, to optimize the flower supply chain from producing countries to European buyers, combining digitalization and dedicated processes.

On the environmental front, KLM Cargo is part of the Air France-KLM group's sustainable development approach. The renewal of the cargo fleet (replacing old four-engine aircraft with modern, less polluting twin-engine aircraft), improving aircraft load factors, using sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) on certain cargo flights, and offsetting emissions are among the initiatives deployed to reduce the carbon footprint of air freight. KLM Cargo is also exploring artificial intelligence and data analysis to optimize routes, forecast demand, and improve delivery punctuality, contributing to smarter and more efficient logistics.

Partnerships and alliances

KLM Cargo's strategy relies on strong partnerships to expand its offer and improve its service. The most structuring partnership is naturally with Air France Cargo and Martinair within Air France-KLM-Martinair Cargo. This internal cooperation allows pooling the fleets, teams, and infrastructures of the three entities to operate as a single cargo unit. In parallel, KLM Cargo takes advantage of the SkyTeam Cargo alliance, which gives it access to the network and capacities of 11 partner cargo companies. This alliance harmonizes quality standards and facilitates the interconnection of networks, offering customers smooth connections from one company to another.

Outside the alliance, KLM Cargo also enters into commercial agreements with other players to meet specific needs. For example, partnerships exist with integrated logistics and courier companies to ensure last-mile delivery or offer door-to-door solutions to customers who require it. The agreement signed in 2023 with CMA CGM, a global shipping giant that launched its own air cargo division, illustrates KLM Cargo's willingness to forge strategic alliances beyond the purely air sector. This commercial joint venture with CMA CGM Air Cargo combines the offers of the two groups to offer customers an even more extensive cargo network and optimized connections between aircraft and ship. Finally, KLM Cargo works closely with the airport authorities of Schiphol and Paris-CDG, as well as customs and regulatory bodies, to continuously improve freight processing processes (for example, "community cargo" programs aimed at sharing data between all links in an airport's logistics chain).

Safety and quality standards

Air freight transport requires compliance with strict safety standards, an area in which KLM Cargo excels. In terms of security, all shipments are subject to rigorous checks before boarding to prevent any risk (prohibited packages, terrorist threats, etc.). KLM Cargo is approved as a Regulated Agent (RA) in the European Union, which certifies that it applies the security standards defined by the authorities (X-ray screening, explosive detection, sniffer dogs, etc.) throughout the logistics chain. This Regulated Agent status also facilitates the processing of freight entrusted by known shippers, avoiding redundant checks thanks to established trust.

In terms of safety (operational safety), KLM Cargo strictly adheres to international regulations. Each type of merchandise is handled in accordance with the appropriate IATA protocols (for example, IATA DGR for dangerous goods, IATA Live Animals Regulations for animals, etc.). Cargo personnel regularly undergo update training on these regulations to handle goods correctly and respond to unforeseen events (leaks, damage, etc.) safely. The cargo aircraft and the holds of passenger aircraft used by KLM Cargo are equipped and fitted to securely stow freight and prevent movement in flight, in accordance with ISO standards and the requirements of aircraft manufacturers. Furthermore, KLM Cargo holds quality certifications, including ISO 9001 certification for some of its services, reflecting a commitment to quality management.

The Schiphol and CDG sorting centers integrate security and environmental control devices throughout the course of a shipment: 24/7 surveillance of storage areas, access control, surveillance cameras, ground security teams dedicated to high-value freight, etc. Moreover, customer satisfaction and service reliability are subject to key performance indicators. KLM Cargo monitors, for example, the on-time delivery rate, the shipment integrity rate (absence of damage), and conducts regular audits to ensure compliance with procedures. Thanks to these measures, KLM Cargo enjoys a reputation as a reliable and safe carrier, to whom companies entrust critical goods with confidence.

Shipment tracking

To provide transparency and peace of mind to its customers, KLM Cargo offers real-time tracking tools for the transportation of goods. Each shipment is assigned a unique air waybill number (AWB), used for tracking. Via the website or the myCargo portal, shippers can enter this number and obtain updated information on the status of their shipment at each stage of the journey. Tracking statuses allow knowing if the cargo is pending, in transit, arrived, or delivered, among others. Below is a table summarizing the main tracking statuses used by KLM Cargo and their meaning in English: