How Domestic Air Freight Works Between Sydney and Perth

The Sydney–Perth corridor is one of Australia’s most important domestic routes for commercial freight. It supports industries ranging from retail and e-commerce to mining, engineering, healthcare, and manufacturing. Because the distance between the east and west coasts is significant, air transport is often the fastest and most reliable way to move time-sensitive cargo.

This guide breaks down how the process works — from lodgement in Sydney, through aircraft loading and flight operations, to final collection in Perth — so businesses know what to expect at each stage.

1. Lodging freight at Sydney Airport

Domestic freight begins at the airline cargo terminal inside Sydney Airport’s freight precinct. The lodgement process typically includes cargo acceptance checks and mandatory security screening.

Cargo acceptance

Airlines check that shipments meet acceptance criteria before they are accepted for carriage. Common checks include:

• Packaging integrity and suitability for air transport
• Clear and accurate labelling
• Verified weight and dimensions
• Identification of special handling needs (temperature control, fragility, dangerous goods)
• Documentation completeness (air waybill, declarations, permits)

Security screening

All domestic cargo entering the secure side of the airport is subject to screening under national aviation security rules. Screening activities can include:

• X-ray inspection
• Explosive trace detection (ETD) swabbing
• Physical inspection by trained staff
• Canine detection where applied

2. Handling and build-up before departure

Once accepted and cleared, shipments move to the handling area for consolidation and loading preparation.

Unit Load Devices (ULDs) and pallets

Handlers use standard ULDs and pallets to optimise space and meet aircraft compatibility. Common items include AKE containers, PMC pallets and specialised temperature-controlled ULDs for perishable goods.

Cargo prioritisation

Shipments are sequenced by service level: priority & express, general cargo, temperature-sensitive loads, dangerous goods, and oversized freight. Prioritisation influences the ULD build-up and the aircraft assignment.

3. Flight operations between Sydney and Perth

The Sydney–Perth flight covers approximately 3,300 kilometres and is among the longest domestic routes in Australia.

Typical aircraft

Freight on this corridor travels in belly hold space on passenger aircraft (commonly Boeing 737, A321, A330 variants) and on dedicated freighters operated by logistics carriers. Aircraft choice affects available volume, weight limits and handling methods.

Transit time

Non-stop airtime between Sydney and Perth is typically around four to five hours. Overall door-to-door transit times will vary depending on cut-offs, ground handling speed, and onward road connections at origin or destination.

4. Arrival and breakdown at Perth Airport

On arrival, cargo is offloaded and moved to the domestic freight terminal for breakdown and onward processing.

Breakdown and storage

Handlers separate consignments into categories — priority, general freight, temperature-controlled, dangerous goods and oversized — then move each item to the appropriate storage area. Temperature-sensitive goods are placed in controlled storage while other consignments await collection or onward transport.

Collection and onward delivery

Consignees, local couriers or freight forwarders collect shipments according to terminal procedures. Some consignments will be prepared for immediate road delivery; others may be staged for consolidation or regional forwarding within Western Australia.

5. Key factors that influence freight movement

Several operational elements determine how smoothly a shipment moves along the Sydney–Perth route:

Cut-off times

Airlines enforce acceptance deadlines based on security screening, build-up requirements and load planning. Late lodgement typically results in the cargo rolling to the next available service.

Chargeable weight

Freight charges are based on actual weight or volumetric (chargeable) weight, whichever is greater. Accurately declaring dimensions and using efficient packaging can reduce billing surprises.

Cargo type and documentation

Perishables, dangerous goods and oversized items have additional requirements that can affect acceptance and scheduling. Correct documentation and pre-advice to the carrier smooth the process.

6. Technology in domestic air freight

Technology has improved visibility and predictability across the freight chain. Typical tools include:

• Real-time tracking and scanning systems
• Temperature and condition monitoring for cold chain shipments
• Load optimisation and planning software
• Digital booking portals and integrated freight management platforms

7. Who uses air freight on the Sydney–Perth corridor?

Common sectors relying on this route include mining and resources, retail distribution, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, engineering and construction, automotive, and e-commerce networks. The route’s speed and reliability make it essential for time-critical supply chains.

8. When air freight is the best choice

Air freight is typically chosen when businesses need the fastest possible delivery, predictable arrival windows, secure handling, or stable temperature control. It’s the preferred option for shipments where delays significantly reduce value.

9. Planning your shipment

Follow these practical steps to reduce risk and avoid delays:

• Meet airline packaging and labelling standards
• Lodge cargo well before cut-off times
• Confirm dangerous goods or temperature requirements in advance
• Provide accurate weight and dimension data
• Use experienced freight handlers or forwarders for complex consignments

Tip: Pre-advising your carrier speeds the acceptance process and reduces the chance of flight rollovers for late or non-compliant shipments.

Further reading

To learn more about services and full end-to-end processes at Sydney Airport, visit the main guide:
Air Freight Services Sydney Airport