What is ADG in aviation?

ADG, or Aircraft Documentation and Guidance, refers to the documentation and operational guidance required for specific types of cargo carried on a commercial flight. It covers requirements for special cargo categories such as live animals, perishables, dangerous goods, and valuables, helping ensure that handling agents and crews have the correct instructions for loading, securing, and handling each category.

What are IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)?

IATA DGR, or the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, is the industry-standard regulatory framework governing how dangerous goods and hazardous materials may be transported by air. It classifies dangerous goods into nine categories, defines packaging, labelling, and documentation requirements for each, and sets the responsibilities of shippers, freight forwarders, and airlines throughout the chain.

Who is responsible for IATA DGR compliance?

Under IATA DGR, the shipper is responsible for the correct classification, packaging, and labeling of dangerous goods. The freight forwarder is responsible for the correct documentation. The airline is responsible for acceptance checking, stowage, and handling. ASM supports the documentation, coordination, and ground handling oversight stages of this chain.

Does ASM support both scheduled and ad hoc cargo flights?

Yes. ASM supports regular scheduled freighter programmes, ad hoc cargo charters, and special mission cargo flights, including humanitarian and time-critical shipments.

Can ASM coordinate cargo operations at remote airports?

Yes, though coverage varies by location. ASM will advise on available handling and coordination options and identify suitable local partners where direct supervision is not feasible.

Does ASM handle cargo permits differently from passenger permits?

Yes. Cargo operator permit requirements can differ from passenger operation permit requirements in certain jurisdictions. ASM manages these differences by operation type and aircraft registration.

Can ASM support humanitarian cargo operations?

Yes. ASM has experience coordinating flight support for humanitarian, relief, and time-critical cargo missions, including short-notice permit and handling coordination under urgent timelines.

Does ASM support belly-hold cargo as well as dedicated freighters?

Yes. ASM's cargo flight support service covers both dedicated freighter operations and belly-hold cargo movements on passenger aircraft.

Cargo Flight Support Services Worldwide

Why Operators Use ASM for Cargo Flight Support

Cargo operations are rarely solved by one service alone. A permit may affect routing. Handling capacity may affect turnaround. Fuel timing may affect departure readiness. ASM’s role is to keep these connected details visible and coordinated.

Less Fragmented Coordination
Instead of managing separate contacts for permits, handling, fuel, crew arrangements and local airport support, operators can route the cargo requirement through ASM and keep the operational picture clearer.

This is especially useful when flights are ad hoc, time-sensitive, multi-sector, or operating into airports where cargo infrastructure and service availability need to be confirmed early.

One coordinated request

Permits, handling, fuel, documentation support and crew logistics reviewed together.

Support Beyond Arrival

Support for ad hoc sectors, technical stops, diversions and short-notice cargo movements.

Built on Flight Support

ASM works through a worldwide network of service locations and aviation suppliers.

24/7

Cargo operations coordination

PLANNED

Scheduled, seasonal and recurring movements

Time-Critical

Ad hoc, humanitarian and urgent sectors

Connected

Permits, planning, handling, fuel and crew logistics

*Cargo support requirements remain subject to authority timelines, airport access, handler capability and supplier availability.

Two Ways ASM Supports Cargo Movements

Cargo requirements can be planned in advance or triggered by urgent operational changes. ASM supports both through a practical coordination model.

Planned Cargo Support

Support for scheduled, seasonal and recurring freighter or belly-hold operations where routes, airport requirements, handling capacity, fuel and crew logistics can be reviewed in advance.

✓ Freighter and belly-hold support

✓ Permit, fuel and handler alignment

✓ Seasonal or recurring route planning

✓ Documentation and service requirement checks

Time-Sensitive Cargo Support

Coordination for ad hoc, humanitarian, recovery and urgent cargo movements where multiple services must be checked in parallel against authority timelines and local availability.

✓ Urgent cargo and relief movements

✓ Diversion, technical stop or recovery support

✓ Short-notice route or airport changes

✓ Rapid handling and fuel availability checks

Cargo Flight Support Services

Each capability is coordinated around the aircraft, route, cargo profile, airport conditions and timing of the operation.

Cargo Permit Coordination

Coordination of overflight, landing, PPR and airport-level requirements that may apply according to the route, operation type, aircraft and cargo context.

• Route and authority requirement checks
• Purpose-of-flight and cargo context review
• Follow-up through the appropriate channels

Cargo Ground Handling Coordination

Coordination with the appointed airport handler for aircraft services, cargo loading or offloading, equipment availability, ramp sequencing and turnaround requirements.

• Main-deck and belly-hold coordination
• Loader, ramp and service availability checks
• Handler briefing and service follow-through

Fuel and Turnaround Support

Fuel uplift timing and ground services can be aligned with the cargo operation so departure readiness is not treated as a separate task.

• Fuel supplier coordination
• Technical stop support
• Alignment with handling and planning needs

Special Cargo Coordination

Support for cargo that requires closer coordination, including high-value freight, perishables, sensitive goods, oversized items or regulated shipments.

• Handling requirement review
• Documentation status follow-up
• Local capability checks before confirmation

* Acceptance remains subject to operator, airport, handler, customs, security and other applicable authority requirements.

Dangerous Goods and Documentation Coordination

ASM can follow up on the operational documentation flow between the operator, shipper, handler and other relevant parties. ASM does not classify, pack, mark, label, certify or accept dangerous-goods consignments unless a specifically qualified and authorised party is contracted for that function.

Disruption and Diversion Support

When cargo operations change at short notice, ASM can coordinate alternate airports, handling, fuel, crew logistics and local service support where feasible.

• Alternate airport coordination
• Rapid handler and fuel checks
• Crew, HOTAC and onward planning support

Cargo Coordination and Compliance Responsibility

ASM coordinates the agreed aviation and ground-support requirements based on information supplied by the operator and client.

Physical cargo handling, warehouse acceptance, customs clearance, security screening and cargo acceptance are performed by the relevant authorised airport, handler, carrier, customs, security or specialist service provider.

The shipper, freight forwarder, aircraft operator and other authorised parties remain responsible for cargo classification, packing, marking, labelling, declarations, acceptance and regulatory compliance according to their respective obligations.

Service availability and cargo acceptance remain subject to the aircraft, airport, handler capability, equipment, documentation, authority requirements and local conditions.

Start With the Cargo Operation

Share the aircraft, route, schedule, cargo category, approximate weight and volume, loading requirements and the services already confirmed or still required. For a time-sensitive movement, include the required departure window, delivery deadline, airport restrictions and any permit, handling, fuel, equipment, temperature-control or documentation constraints.

REQUEST CARGO FLIGHT

From Cargo Requirement to Flight Readiness

The process is designed to keep cargo, aircraft and ground-side requirements moving together rather than creating separate workstreams that need to be reconciled later.

01

Review the Cargo Operation

Review the operator, aircraft, route, schedule, cargo profile, urgency and required services.

02

Check Operational Feasibility

Review authority timelines, airport access, handler capability, equipment, fuel and supplier availability.

03

Coordinate Confirmed Services

Align permits, planning, handling, fuel, crew logistics and relevant documentation follow-up.

04

Follow Operational Changes

Track route, schedule, cargo, airport or service changes affecting the movement.

05

Support Through Completion

Remain available through departure, arrival and agreed operational follow-up.

Tailored for Different Cargo Operations

Cargo support changes depending on the aircraft, cargo profile, urgency and airport environment.

Operation Type	Typical Requirement	ASM Coordination Focus
Scheduled Freighter Operations	Recurring routes, planned uplifts, station readiness and consistent turnaround support.	Permits, handler alignment, fuel planning and service follow-up across the route.
Cargo Charter Operations	Short-notice sectors, changing airport pairs and route-specific documentation needs.	Feasibility review, permit coordination, handling checks and fuel release support.
Humanitarian or Relief Cargo	Time-sensitive cargo, special access requirements and destination constraints.	Authority follow-up, local airport coordination and ground-service availability checks.
Special Cargo Movements	Perishables, high-value cargo, regulated shipments or outsized freight.	Handler capability checks, documentation follow-up and service sequencing.
Technical Stops and Diversions	Fuel, crew, ground support and alternate airport coordination outside the original plan.	Rapid coordination of handling, fuel, permits and crew support where feasible.