Aeroflot Cargo tracking

What is Aeroflot Cargo?

Aeroflot Cargo is the freight operations division of Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Russia's national flag carrier and the country's largest airline by passenger volume. Rather than operating as an independent legal entity, the cargo division functions as an integrated part of Aeroflot, using the belly-hold capacity of the passenger fleet to transport freight across domestic and international routes. The division handles general commercial goods, perishables, live animals, pharmaceuticals, high-value items, and dangerous goods, serving freight forwarders and corporate shippers through its principal hub at Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow.

The origins of this operation trace back to 1995, when Aeroflot established CJSC "Aeroflot-Cargo" as a fully owned subsidiary. The formation reflected an industry-wide trend at the time toward separating cargo into dedicated commercial units. The subsidiary grew to become the second-largest cargo airline in Russia, running regular flights linking Europe and Asia via Russian territory. The global financial crisis of 2008-2009 severely undermined the economics of a standalone cargo operation, and in June 2009 Aeroflot's shareholders voted to declare the subsidiary bankrupt. Its Air Operator's Certificate was suspended in November 2009, and on April 5, 2010, bankruptcy proceedings were formally introduced. All independent operations were wound down and the aircraft returned to their lessors.

Following the closure of the standalone entity, freight operations were reabsorbed into the parent airline. In May 2011, Aeroflot joined SkyTeam Cargo, the cargo alliance associated with the SkyTeam passenger alliance, becoming its ninth member at the Air Cargo Europe trade show in Munich. This connected Aeroflot's freight services to a network of alliance partners worldwide. The carrier's membership in both SkyTeam and SkyTeam Cargo was suspended on April 27, 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the resulting international sanctions that closed European, US, and Canadian airspace to Russian aircraft. Since then, Aeroflot and its cargo operations have redirected toward Asia, the Middle East, and CIS countries.

• Founded (subsidiary): 1995, as CJSC "Aeroflot-Cargo," a fully owned subsidiary of Aeroflot Russian Airlines
• Subsidiary bankruptcy: Decision taken June 2009, formally declared April 5, 2010
• Current structure: Integrated cargo division of Aeroflot Russian Airlines, not a separate legal entity
• Headquarters: Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia
• Parent company: PJSC Aeroflot, Russia's national flag carrier
• IATA airline code: SU
• AWB prefix: 555, used to identify all Aeroflot cargo shipments in the global air freight system
• SkyTeam Cargo membership: Joined May 2011, suspended April 27, 2022

The market position of Aeroflot Cargo has changed substantially since 2022. The closure of airspace across the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada has eliminated direct cargo routing to and from those markets. Traffic to China grew by more than 30 percent in 2024, surpassing one million passengers and corresponding cargo volumes on that corridor. The carrier's 2025 summer schedule expanded its network by eight percent compared to the prior year, with growth concentrated on routes to China, Turkey, the UAE, Egypt, India, Sri Lanka, and Central Asian destinations.

Which countries does Aeroflot Cargo deliver to?

Aeroflot Cargo's geographic reach is determined by the passenger network of Aeroflot Russian Airlines. As of 2025, that network covers approximately 292 routes serving 64 cities within Russia and destinations in 19 countries. Domestic coverage is extensive, with freight moving through the Sheremetyevo hub to virtually all major Russian cities and a large number of regional centers. The customs transit service documents destinations spanning the full breadth of Russian territory, from Kaliningrad in the northwest to Vladivostok and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in the Far East.

Within Russia, the domestic cargo network reaches cities including Arkhangelsk, Barnaul, Chelyabinsk, Irkutsk, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Kemerovo, Khabarovsk, Krasnodar, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, Murmansk, Nizhny Novgorod, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Perm, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Sochi, St. Petersburg, Surgut, Tyumen, Ufa, Vladivostok, Volgograd, Yakutsk, and Yekaterinburg, among others. Cargo to these destinations moves as belly freight on Aeroflot's domestic passenger services, meaning freight capacity on any given route is directly tied to the airline's passenger flight schedule and the aircraft type assigned.

On the international side, Aeroflot Cargo has significantly reoriented its network since 2022. Direct cargo routing to Western Europe, the United Kingdom, and North America is no longer possible due to airspace closures affecting all Russian carriers. The current international coverage is concentrated in markets that maintain open airspace relations with Russia. CIS routes serve destinations in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, and Belarus. Beyond the CIS, international cargo flows through routes to China, Turkey, the UAE, India, Egypt, and Sri Lanka, as well as other Asian and Middle Eastern points now served by the expanding Aeroflot schedule.

• Domestic Russia: More than 60 cities including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Kazan, Sochi, Murmansk, and Yakutsk, among others
• CIS countries: Kazakhstan (Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Aktobe, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kostanay, Shymkent), Kyrgyzstan (Bishkek), Armenia (Yerevan), Belarus (Minsk)
• Asia: China, India, and Sri Lanka, with traffic to China growing particularly strongly since 2022
• Middle East and Africa: Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt
• Suspended corridors: European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, where airspace restrictions have been in effect since 2022

The customs transit product is particularly relevant for freight forwarders routing international shipments into Central Asian markets via Moscow. Under this arrangement, goods arrive at Sheremetyevo under customs control and continue to their final CIS destination without full clearance at the transit point, with customs formalities completed at the destination airport. This routing through Russia's main air hub has made Sheremetyevo a connecting point for cargo flows between origin countries and the broader CIS region.

What are the Aeroflot Cargo services and delivery times?

Aeroflot Cargo's service offer is organized around three main product categories, general cargo, special cargo, and customs transit. All freight moves as belly-hold cargo in the lower deck of Aeroflot's passenger aircraft fleet which includes wide-body types such as the Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 777 on international and long-haul routes, and narrow-body types from the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737 on shorter domestic services. The mix of aircraft types means that freight capacity varies significantly by route, with wide-body aircraft offering greater per-flight capacity and higher piece dimension allowances than narrow-body domestic services.

General cargo covers standard commercial freight that does not require special handling conditions or temperature control. This is the core of the operation and is accepted on all routes where Aeroflot operates passenger services. Special cargo covers freight categories that require specific handling procedures. This includes perishables such as fresh produce and flowers, pharmaceuticals handled under temperature-controlled conditions throughout the transport chain, live animals transported in accordance with IATA Live Animals Regulations, high-value shipments requiring enhanced security, and dangerous goods accepted under the conditions set out in IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations with required documentation submitted at the time of booking.

• General cargo: Standard commercial freight, accepted on all routes in the Aeroflot network
• Perishables: Fresh food products, flowers, and other goods requiring temperature control during transport
• Pharmaceuticals: Medical and pharmaceutical products handled under temperature-controlled conditions throughout the chain
• Live animals: Transported in compliance with IATA Live Animals Regulations
• High-value shipments: Goods requiring enhanced security measures during handling and transport
• Dangerous goods: Accepted in compliance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, with required documentation submitted at booking
• Customs transit cargo: International shipments moved under Russian customs control from abroad, transiting via Sheremetyevo to final destinations in Russia or the CIS

Specific published delivery time standards for Aeroflot Cargo freight services are not listed publicly, which is typical for airline belly-cargo operators. In practice, transit times are determined by flight schedules between origin and destination airports. For domestic Russian routes, same-day or next-day cargo delivery is achievable on high-frequency trunk routes such as Moscow to St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg. For international routes, transit time depends on flight frequency, connection requirements at the hub, and customs clearance at the destination. As a general frame of reference, air freight on this type of operation typically ranges from 3 to 24 days depending on the origin, destination, and any intermediate handling steps involved.

What are the Aeroflot Cargo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Aeroflot Cargo rates follow the standard pricing structure used across the air freight industry. Charges are calculated on the basis of whichever is greater between the actual gross weight of the shipment and its volumetric chargeable weight, a method that accounts for the space a shipment occupies in the aircraft hold as much as its physical mass. Volumetric weight is derived from the dimensions of the shipment using the standard air freight formula. On top of the base freight rate, applicable surcharges include fuel surcharges, security surcharges, and where relevant, additional fees for special cargo handling categories such as dangerous goods or live animals.

The weight and dimension limits for individual pieces are governed by the aircraft type operating the route. Wide-body aircraft in Aeroflot's fleet including the Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 777 operated on international and long-haul routes, accommodate larger and heavier individual pieces in their lower deck cargo holds. Narrow-body aircraft on domestic and shorter routes impose tighter physical restrictions on piece dimensions and individual piece weight. For dangerous goods and special cargo categories, additional restrictions apply in accordance with IATA regulations, and acceptance is subject to prior approval from the cargo team before the shipment is tendered.

• Pricing basis: Greater of actual gross weight or volumetric chargeable weight, standard across the air freight industry
• Wide-body aircraft: Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 777, used on international and long-haul routes, with higher individual piece weight and dimension allowances
• Narrow-body aircraft: Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737, used on shorter domestic and regional routes, with tighter piece limits
• Surcharges: Fuel surcharge, security surcharge, and handling fees applicable depending on cargo category and route
• Special cargo acceptance: Subject to prior confirmation and additional documentation requirements before tendering

Exact tariff rates and specific dimension limits by route are not published in a fixed public rate card, which is standard practice for airline cargo operators working primarily through freight forwarders. Shippers are advised to request a quote directly from the Aeroflot Cargo team or work through a licensed freight forwarder with access to the carrier's commercial terms. Rates vary by origin-destination pair, shipment volume, cargo category, and surcharges in effect at the time of booking.

What are the Aeroflot Cargo delivery options?

As an airline cargo operator, Aeroflot Cargo delivers freight to the cargo terminal at the arrival airport rather than to the consignee's physical address. This is standard practice for air freight and distinguishes airline cargo services from door-to-door courier and parcel delivery networks. The consignee, or their authorized freight agent, is responsible for collecting the shipment from the arrival airport cargo terminal. At collection, the consignee must present the original Air Waybill or an authorized copy, along with valid identification and for international shipments, the required customs documentation for clearance in the destination country.

For the customs transit product, the collection process reflects the regulatory structure of the service. Cargo shipped under Russian customs control arrives at Sheremetyevo Airport, where it is registered under customs transit procedures, and then continues onward to the designated destination airport in Russia or the CIS. Customs formalities are completed at the final destination airport rather than at Sheremetyevo, meaning the consignee collects the goods and handles customs clearance at the airport closest to the end destination rather than at the transit hub.

• Standard air freight collection: Cargo collected by the consignee or their agent at the destination airport cargo terminal upon presentation of the Air Waybill
• Required documents at collection: Original Air Waybill or authorized copy, valid identification, and customs documentation for international shipments
• Customs transit collection: Cargo cleared and collected at the designated destination airport in Russia or the CIS, not at the Sheremetyevo transit point
• Freight forwarder collection: Collection can be performed by a licensed freight forwarding agent acting on behalf of the consignee with appropriate authorization

Aeroflot Cargo does not operate a last-mile door-to-door delivery service. Shippers requiring end-to-end delivery from origin address to consignee address typically work with freight forwarders who coordinate both the airline cargo leg and local pickup and delivery at origin and destination. This multimodal arrangement is common in international air freight logistics and allows shippers to use Aeroflot's air network while relying on local agents for ground handling at each end.

What should I do if my Aeroflot Cargo parcel is lost or damaged?

Aeroflot Cargo's liability framework follows the Montreal Convention, the international treaty governing air carrier liability for cargo damage, loss, and delay. For damage to cargo on an international shipment, a written claim must be submitted within 14 days of the date the consignee received the goods. For delay of cargo, the written claim must be lodged within 21 days of the date the cargo was placed at the disposal of the consignee. Claims submitted outside these time limits may not be accepted, so it is important to act promptly upon identifying any issue with the shipment.

Claims must be submitted in writing to Aeroflot Cargo. The documentation required to support a claim typically includes the original Air Waybill as the contract of carriage, a commercial invoice establishing the declared value of the goods, a damage report or independent survey report prepared at the time the damage was identified, and any relevant correspondence exchanged with the carrier. For shipments that included dangerous goods, the original dangerous goods declaration submitted at the time of booking forms part of the documentary record and should be included in the claim file.

• Damage claim deadline: Written claim submitted within 14 days of the consignee receiving the cargo
• Delay claim deadline: Written claim submitted within 21 days of the cargo being placed at the consignee's disposal
• Liability framework: Montreal Convention, applicable to international air carriage
• Required documentation: Original Air Waybill, commercial invoice, damage or survey report, and relevant correspondence
• Dangerous goods shipments: Original dangerous goods declaration submitted at booking must be included in the claim file
• Customer support phone: +7-495-223-55-55, operated from the Sheremetyevo cargo facility

Does Aeroflot Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Aeroflot Cargo provides international air freight services across the routes currently operated by Aeroflot Russian Airlines. The scope of international operations has changed materially since 2022, when the closure of airspace in the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada removed those corridors from the network entirely. International cargo is now routed to and from countries that maintain open airspace relations with Russia, including China, Turkey, the UAE, India, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. Export control regulations and sanctions imposed by Western governments restrict which categories of goods can be shipped to or from Russia via any carrier, a constraint that shippers and freight forwarders must navigate carefully at the time of booking.

The standard documentation required for international air freight shipments on Aeroflot Cargo includes the Air Waybill, which serves as the contract of carriage, a commercial invoice, a packing list, and any additional certificates or licenses required for the specific commodity. Plants require phytosanitary certificates, live animals require health certificates, and certain controlled goods require export licenses. For dangerous goods shipments submitted for customs registration, an application including the sender's declaration, the nature of the goods, and their field of application must be prepared and submitted for approval at both origin and destination airports before the shipment can proceed.

• Current international reach: China, Turkey, the UAE, India, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other open-airspace countries
• Suspended corridors: European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, due to airspace closures in effect since 2022
• Standard documentation: Air Waybill, commercial invoice, packing list, and commodity-specific certificates or licenses
• Dangerous goods customs: Sender's declaration, goods description, and field of application required for customs registration at both origin and destination airports
• Duties and taxes: Typically the responsibility of the consignee at the destination, unless a separate arrangement has been agreed with the freight forwarder

The customs transit product is a specific international service in which goods travel from a foreign country to a CIS destination via Sheremetyevo Airport under Russian customs control. Under this arrangement, the cargo does not go through full customs clearance at the Moscow hub. Instead, it continues under seal to the destination airport in Russia or the CIS, where customs formalities are completed by the consignee or their customs broker. This service is used by freight forwarders routing cargo into Central Asian markets through Russia's principal air gateway.

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking an Aeroflot Cargo shipment, the Air Waybill number is used as the primary reference. Each AWB issued by Aeroflot uses the numeric prefix 555, which identifies Aeroflot in the IATA airline numbering system, followed by eight digits, giving a reference in the format 555-12345678. Tracking can be performed through the official Aeroflot cargo portal as well as through third-party air cargo tracking platforms that integrate with airline cargo data feeds. Updates are generated at the principal handling checkpoints along the shipment's route, from acceptance at the origin terminal through to final collection by the consignee at the destination cargo terminal.