Asiana Cargo tracking

What is Asiana Cargo?

Asiana Cargo was the dedicated air freight division of Asiana Airlines, South Korea's second-largest carrier. The company originated on February 17, 1988, when Asiana Airlines was incorporated under the name Seoul Air International by the Kumho Group, a major South Korean conglomerate. Commercial flight operations began on December 23, 1988, connecting Seoul with Busan and Gwangju on domestic routes. International expansion followed within a few years, with services to Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Singapore beginning in 1991 and trans-Pacific cargo service to Los Angeles via Boeing 747 launching in November of that year. By 1992, international routes accounted for 65% of the airline's revenues.

Dedicated freighter operations launched in November 1994 on the Seoul-Los Angeles route, marking Asiana's formal entry as a full cargo airline. By 1996, cargo revenues represented approximately a quarter of Asiana's total income. The carrier joined the Star Alliance on January 28, 2003, extending interline partnerships across the alliance's global network. In July 2011, Asiana Airlines Cargo Flight 991, a Boeing 747-48EF, was lost over the East China Sea west of Jeju Island after a lithium-ion battery fire caused mid-air structural failure, killing both crew members. By 2012, the cargo division served 29 cities across 14 countries, and in 2023 it handled approximately 831,278 tons of freight while generating revenue of approximately $1.3 billion, a 7% increase year-over-year. The carrier held roughly 19.5% of South Korea's international air freight market as of 2022, making it the country's second-largest cargo carrier behind Korean Air.

• Date of creation: February 17, 1988, incorporated as Seoul Air International by the Kumho Group; dedicated freighter service launched November 1994
• Headquarters: Asiana Town, 443-83 Ojeong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea (postal code 07505)
• Primary hub: Incheon International Airport, Seoul
• Secondary hub: Gimpo International Airport, Seoul, used principally for domestic operations
• Parent company: Asiana Airlines, Inc., acquired by Korean Air on December 12, 2024
• IATA designator: OZ
• ICAO designator: AAR
• Air Waybill prefix: 988
• Alliance membership: Star Alliance from January 28, 2003; transferred to SkyTeam following the Korean Air merger in December 2024
• Annual freight volume: Approximately 831,278 tons in 2023, with revenue of approximately $1.3 billion
• Cargo operations ended: July 31, 2025; the division was acquired by Air Incheon, which rebranded as AIRZETA effective August 1, 2025, with all 11 freighter aircraft and approximately 800 employees transferring to the new entity

Asiana Cargo's principal commodity categories were goods for which South Korea and its East Asian trading partners hold significant global production positions, including semiconductors and microelectronics, consumer electronics including mobile phones and LCD panels, pharmaceuticals, perishables, and automotive components. These are product types where air freight is often the only viable transport mode, either because delivery speed is commercially critical or because high unit values justify the cost premium over sea freight. South Korea's role as a major global producer in several of these categories made Asiana Cargo a key link in international supply chains.

A significant transition in the company's history came with the Korean Air merger. As a condition of the European Commission's approval of that acquisition, the merged entity was required to divest the entire cargo division to protect competition on freight routes between Europe and South Korea. Air Incheon completed the purchase and rebranded as AIRZETA on August 1, 2025, with all 11 freighter aircraft and approximately 800 employees transferring to the new operator. Korean Air had completed its acquisition of Asiana Airlines on December 12, 2024, ending Asiana's existence as an independent carrier after 36 years of operation.

Which countries does Asiana Cargo deliver to?

Asiana Cargo operated 27 to 28 dedicated cargo routes connecting 29 cities across 14 countries, with Incheon International Airport serving as the primary hub. The network covered three main intercontinental corridors, with services between South Korea and North America, services between South Korea and Europe, and intra-Asian routes across East and Southeast Asia. Total annual cargo volume reached approximately 725,000 to 831,000 tons in 2023. Beyond the dedicated freighter routes, belly cargo space on wide-body passenger aircraft extended the carrier's reach further across Asia and the Pacific.

North American coverage was extensive for an Asian carrier, with dedicated freighter services to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Cargo offices were maintained in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to support US customers. In Europe, Frankfurt Airport served as the primary cargo hub, with Brussels also receiving dedicated freighter service. Historical European destinations on the passenger side included Paris, Rome, and Barcelona, though those routes became subject to regulatory divestiture requirements under the European Commission's terms for approving the Korean Air acquisition.

• South Korea: Incheon International Airport as the primary international hub and Gimpo International Airport for domestic operations
• North America: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and New York
• Europe: Frankfurt as the primary European cargo hub, and Brussels
• Asia: China, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand Singapore, and other regional markets; historical coverage also included Delhi and Macao
• Extended network: Belly cargo capacity on Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 777-200ER passenger aircraft provided additional reach across Asia and the Pacific beyond the dedicated freighter routes

Incheon International Airport was the operational center for Asiana Cargo's ground activities. The cargo terminal featured multiple ramp positions, automated cargo handling systems, segregated zones for hazardous materials, and dedicated temperature-controlled warehousing for pharmaceutical and perishable shipments. Real-time IT infrastructure provided shipment visibility and arrival predictions throughout the cargo chain. The facility held certifications under ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety, standards relevant to the regulated industries that made up much of Asiana Cargo's customer base.

As an air freight carrier operating in the business-to-business segment, Asiana Cargo did not deliver goods to consumer addresses. Cargo arrived at the destination airport cargo terminal, where the consignee or their appointed freight forwarder or customs broker arranged final pickup after completing import customs formalities. A shipment sent from Seoul to Los Angeles would arrive at the LAX cargo terminal, where the consignee's logistics agent handled customs clearance and onward transport to the final delivery address. This model applied consistently across all of Asiana Cargo's served destinations.

What are the Asiana Cargo services and delivery times?

Asiana Cargo offered a range of air freight services primarily targeting business-to-business customers across multiple industries. The core service was general cargo air freight, covering the transportation of commercial goods including electronics, clothing, automotive parts, and e-commerce shipments, available in both standard and priority configurations depending on route frequency and available flight capacity. Customers booked through the carrier's online portal or through direct account relationships managed from cargo offices at major hubs.

Beyond general cargo, the carrier developed several specialized service categories. Asiana Fresh handled perishable goods including fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and seafood using temperature-controlled containers and cold-storage infrastructure with dedicated cooling facilities at major airports. Asiana Pharma provided pharmaceutical shipping compliant with Good Distribution Practice standards, with validated temperature-controlled handling covering biologics at 2-8°C, controlled-room-temperature products at 15-25°C, and frozen pharmaceutical shipments at -20°C or below. These temperature ranges were maintained throughout the entire transit chain, from origin pickup through delivery at destination.

• General cargo: Standard and priority air freight for commercial goods including electronics, clothing, automotive parts, and e-commerce shipments
• Asiana Fresh: Temperature-controlled service for perishables including fruits, vegetables, flowers, and seafood, using dedicated cold-storage infrastructure at major airports
• Asiana Pharma: GDP-compliant pharmaceutical transport with validated temperature control covering 2-8°C, 15-25°C, and -20°C ranges for different product categories
• Dangerous goods (DGR): Handling of hazardous materials including chemicals, batteries, and industrial gases through segregated terminal zones, compliant with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions
• Live animals (AVI): Transport under IATA Live Animals Regulations with specialized care protocols during transit
• High-value cargo (VAL): Secure handling for valuables with enhanced chain-of-custody procedures throughout the shipment
• Asiana Heavy Lift: Oversized and heavy cargo service using the Boeing 747-400F's nose-loading capability for items too large for standard cargo doors
• Belly cargo: Freight transport in the hold space of wide-body passenger aircraft, providing flexible capacity beyond the dedicated freighter fleet for seasonal or urgent demand

Asiana Cargo operated as a business-to-business air freight carrier and did not publish fixed delivery time guarantees comparable to express courier companies. For intercontinental air freight in general, the air segment typically runs between one and five business days depending on route frequency and available departure scheduling. This does not include customs clearance at the destination country, which adds variable time depending on the commodity type, declared value, and local customs processing capacity. Customers were directed to contact cargo offices directly for route-specific schedule and transit time information rather than relying on a published standard.

What are the Asiana Cargo rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Asiana Cargo used a quote-based pricing model standard to commercial air freight, with no fixed public rate card available to customers. Rates were calculated based on a combination of factors including commodity type, origin-destination pair, service level, applicable fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand fluctuations. This approach is typical for business-to-business air freight, where shipment characteristics vary widely enough that a single published tariff would not accurately reflect actual costs for different customers and routes.

A central concept in air freight pricing is chargeable weight, which determines the billable quantity for a given shipment. Chargeable weight is calculated as the greater of a shipment's actual gross weight or its volumetric weight. Volumetric weight for air freight is generally computed by multiplying the length by the width by the height of the shipment in centimeters and then dividing that figure by 6,000 to produce a weight in kilograms. If the volumetric weight exceeds the actual gross weight, the carrier bills on the volumetric figure rather than the physical weight of the goods.

• Pricing model: Quote-based, with no published public rate card; customers obtained rates through the online booking portal or direct cargo office contacts
• Chargeable weight: The greater of actual gross weight or volumetric weight, calculated as length multiplied by width multiplied by height in centimeters, divided by 6,000
• Rate factors: Commodity type, origin-destination pair, service level (standard, express, temperature-controlled), fuel surcharges, and seasonal demand
• Oversized cargo: The Boeing 747-400F's nose-loading capability accommodated items too large for standard cargo doors under the Asiana Heavy Lift service
• Dimension limits: Specific maximum weight and dimension limits for general freight were not publicly documented; enterprise customers were managed through direct account relationships and the cargo booking platform
• US cargo office contacts: Rate inquiries for North American customers were handled through offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle

In 2024, Asiana Cargo added two Boeing 747-400F aircraft acquired from China Airlines for approximately $510 million, expanding heavy freight capacity even as the sale of the division to Air Incheon was already underway. The Boeing 747-400F, which formed the core of Asiana Cargo's dedicated freighter fleet offered a main deck with approximately 26 pallet positions alongside additional lower-deck container capacity. The type's nose-loading feature, which allows the entire nose section to hinge upward, made it suitable for outsized industrial cargo that could not pass through conventional cargo door openings.

What are the Asiana Cargo delivery options?

Asiana Cargo operated as a business-to-business air freight carrier and did not offer consumer delivery options such as residential home delivery, parcel lockers, or post office collection points. This distinguishes dedicated air cargo operations from courier or postal networks. The carrier's customers were primarily freight forwarders, importers, exporters, logistics operators, and large corporations moving commercial goods between countries as part of established supply chain arrangements, not individual consumers sending or receiving personal parcels.

When cargo arrived at the destination airport terminal, the consignee or their appointed agent was responsible for collecting the freight and completing all required import customs formalities before goods could leave the terminal zone. The appointed agent was typically a licensed customs broker or freight forwarder with operating authority at the relevant airport. Asiana Cargo's tracking system provided real-time notification of cargo arrival and customs clearance status so consignees could arrange collection at the appropriate time without unnecessary storage delays.

• Airport-to-airport service: Cargo was transported between origin and destination airport cargo terminals; no door-to-door residential delivery was provided
• Consignee collection: The buyer or their authorized freight forwarder collected cargo from the destination terminal after completing import customs procedures
• Customs broker: Consignees typically engaged a licensed customs broker to handle import declarations, duty assessment, and terminal release
• Arrival notification: The tracking system provided real-time updates on cargo arrival and customs clearance status to enable timely collection arrangements
• Temperature-controlled storage: Incheon's terminal provided dedicated cold-chain storage for perishable and pharmaceutical shipments awaiting collection or onward transit

For shipments into the United States, Asiana Cargo maintained cargo office infrastructure in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle to support consignees and their agents with documentation coordination. Final-mile logistics from the destination airport to the consignee's warehouse or facility were handled independently by the freight forwarder or customs broker appointed by the buyer. This arrangement is standard across commercial air freight and is distinct from the service model offered by express parcel carriers or postal operators, where end-to-end delivery to a specific address is included in the service.

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

Asiana Cargo handled cargo claims through the IATA CargoClaims platform, a standardized industry system for processing air freight claims used by multiple carriers. To initiate a claim, the claimant entered their email address and completed a standardized online form. No pre-existing account was required to begin the process; the system automatically created an account upon first submission and sent the claimant a copy of their report. Claim deadlines followed standard aviation cargo conventions established by the Montreal Convention, which governs liability in international air carriage.

Damaged or partially missing cargo was required to be reported within 7 days of receipt. Delayed cargo required a claim to be filed within 21 days from when the goods were placed at the consignee's disposal. Failure to report within these windows can invalidate a claim regardless of its merits, so prompt action upon identifying a problem with a shipment is important. All claims required the Air Waybill number as the primary identification reference throughout the process, alongside documentation supporting the declared value of the affected goods.

• Claims system: IATA CargoClaims platform; no account required to initiate a report, with automatic account creation on first submission
• Deadline for damage or partial loss: Within 7 days of receipt of the cargo
• Deadline for delay: Within 21 days from the date the cargo was placed at the consignee's disposal
• Required documents: Air Waybill number, flight number and date, detailed description and photographs of damage, item brand and declared value, and original purchase invoice or receipt
• US toll-free support: 1-800-227-4262, available 7 a.m. to midnight Eastern Time, Monday through Sunday
• Korea cargo line: 02-2669-8000 for cargo-specific inquiries from Korea
• US headquarters address: 3530 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1700, Los Angeles, California 90010

For general inquiries, the carrier operated a 24-hour AI chatbot named Ask Aaron on its passenger website, available around the clock for non-cargo general questions. A Voice of Customers portal allowed shippers and travelers to submit structured feedback and complaints through a dedicated web form. For cargo-specific matters in the United States, regional offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle handled direct inquiries from importers, exporters, and their logistics agents during business hours.

Does Asiana Cargo handle international shipments and customs formalities?

International air freight shipments through Asiana Cargo required a standard set of trade documents. The primary document was the Air Waybill, which functions as the air freight equivalent of a bill of lading and is signed at each stage by the carrier, shipper, and receiver. Alongside the Air Waybill, shippers were required to provide a Commercial Invoice specifying item pricing, freight value, and quantities, which customs authorities at the destination used to assess applicable duties and taxes. A Packing List itemizing shipment contents was also required for all international consignments.

Controlled and regulated goods required additional documentation beyond the standard set. Dangerous goods shipments required a Dangerous Goods Declaration completed in compliance with IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations and ICAO Technical Instructions. Live animal shipments required health certificates and relevant CITES permits where applicable under the IATA Live Animals Regulations. Pharmaceutical cargo required compliance certificates appropriate to the specific product category being transported. Asiana Cargo maintained certifications under several international regulatory frameworks at its Incheon terminal to handle these specialized categories within the required compliance boundaries.

• Air Waybill: Primary shipping and contract document required for all international air freight; signed at each stage by carrier, shipper, and consignee
• Commercial Invoice: Specifies item values, freight cost, and quantities; used by destination customs authorities to calculate applicable import duties and taxes
• Packing List: Itemized inventory of shipment contents required for all international consignments
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): All duties and taxes prepaid by the shipper; the consignee receives goods without additional payment at destination
• DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Import duties and taxes are collected from the consignee upon arrival at the destination country
• Dangerous goods: Dangerous Goods Declaration required under IATA DGR and ICAO Technical Instructions for all hazardous material shipments
• Pharmaceutical compliance: Good Distribution Practice standards applied throughout handling at Incheon, with certified temperature monitoring and validated storage zones for each temperature range

Asiana Cargo's Incheon terminal held ISO 9001 certification for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and OHSAS 18001 for occupational health and safety. The carrier also maintained compliance with IATA Operational Safety Audit standards. These certifications were directly relevant for shippers operating in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, where documentation of a handling partner's compliance framework is a standard requirement in supply chain auditing and vendor qualification processes.

Understanding tracking statuses

Asiana Cargo shipments were tracked using the Air Waybill number, which follows the format 988-XXXXXXXX, where 988 is the IATA airline prefix for Asiana Airlines and the following 8 digits identify the specific consignment. The AWB number appears on the consignment note or transport document issued at booking and served as the primary reference for all status inquiries. Multiple AWB numbers could be entered simultaneously, separated by commas, to retrieve status for several shipments in a single query. Third-party logistics platforms also supported Asiana Cargo AWB tracking for shippers managing freight across multiple carriers in a consolidated interface.

The tracking system displayed current cargo location, origin and destination points, dispatch and estimated arrival times, customs clearance status, delay notifications, and relevant flight details at each stage of transit. The statuses below correspond to the standard handling milestones that an air cargo shipment passes through between acceptance at the origin terminal and final delivery at destination.