Road Feeder Service (RFS)

What is RFS (Road Feeder Service)?

RFS, an acronym for Road Feeder Service, is a road transport service specifically designed for air freight. It is a system that uses trucks to transport freight under an air waybill (AWB) between different airports or between freight terminals and airports. Although the transport is carried out by road, it is considered an extension of air transport and retains its air freight status throughout the journey.

This service is often referred to by other terms in the industry, such as "air trucking," "trucking air," or "flight on wheels." These names illustrate the hybrid nature of this mode of transport, which combines the administrative characteristics of air freight with physical execution by road.

Why Use RFS?

Strategic Advantages for Airlines

RFS offers numerous strategic advantages to airlines, explaining its widespread adoption in the air freight industry:

Network Extension

RFS allows airlines to extend their network to destinations they do not serve directly by air. An airline can thus offer services to secondary cities without having to operate flights there, significantly increasing its geographical coverage without the costs associated with operating additional aircraft.

Capacity Optimization

By consolidating freight from multiple origins to a central hub, airlines can optimize the load factor of their aircraft. Instead of operating partially filled flights from several secondary airports, they can use RFS to transport freight to a main hub and thus maximize the use of their air capacity.

Operational Flexibility

RFS offers considerable flexibility in the face of operational constraints. In the event of flight cancellations, capacity restrictions, or temporary airport closures, RFS can be quickly deployed as an alternative solution to maintain freight service.

Cost Reduction

For certain distances, particularly for short to medium-haul routes (generally less than 800 km), road transport can be significantly less expensive than air transport. RFS thus allows for reduced operational costs while maintaining an air freight service.

Environmental Benefits

Beyond economic and operational considerations, RFS also presents notable environmental advantages:

Carbon Footprint Reduction

For short to medium distances, road transport generally generates fewer CO2 emissions per ton-kilometer than air transport. By replacing certain air segments with road transport, RFS contributes to reducing the overall carbon footprint of the freight logistics chain.

Resource Optimization

By consolidating shipments and optimizing routes, RFS enables more efficient use of transport resources, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption and associated emissions.

Response to Regulatory and Infrastructural Constraints

RFS also constitutes an effective response to various external constraints:

Flight Restrictions

Some airports impose night flight restrictions or time slot limitations. RFS allows for bypassing these constraints by transporting freight by road during restricted periods.

Limited Airport Capacity

Faced with the growing congestion of many major airports, RFS offers an alternative for serving destinations without adding pressure to already saturated airport infrastructures.

Dangerous Goods

Certain categories of dangerous goods are subject to more stringent restrictions for air transport than for road transport. RFS can thus facilitate the transport of these goods while keeping them under the administrative regime of air freight.

How RFS Works

Operational Organization

The operation of RFS relies on a well-structured operational organization that integrates road transport into the air freight logistics chain:

Route Planning

Airlines establish regular RFS routes, often with fixed schedules, similar to flights. These routes are planned based on the need for connections with actual flights, anticipated freight volumes, and transit time constraints.

Flight Number Assignment

Each RFS service receives a specific flight number, usually preceded by the letter "T" to indicate that it is a road transport service. For example, Lufthansa Cargo might assign the number "LH T123" to an RFS service between Frankfurt and Amsterdam. This flight number allows the service to be integrated into the airline's booking and tracking systems.

Subcontracting to Road Carriers

Most airlines do not own their own fleet of trucks and subcontract the execution of RFS services to specialized road carriers. These carriers must meet strict requirements in terms of safety, reliability, and compliance with air freight procedures.

Specialized Equipment

Vehicles used for RFS are generally trucks specially equipped for air freight transport. They may be fitted with GPS tracking systems, temperature control, advanced security devices, and are often capable of transporting standard ULDs (Unit Load Devices) used in air freight.

Documentary and Customs Processes

One of the most important aspects of RFS is its integration into the documentary and customs processes of air freight:

Air Waybill (AWB)

Freight transported by RFS is covered by a standard air waybill, as if it were transported by air. The AWB typically indicates the RFS flight number in the flight information section.

Loading Manifest

A detailed loading manifest is prepared for each RFS service, listing all shipments transported, their AWB numbers, weights, dimensions, and other relevant information.

Customs Transit

Freight transported by RFS between different countries generally benefits from customs transit status, meaning it is not subject to import/export formalities during road transport. Specific transit documents (such as the T1 in the European Union) are used to cover this movement.

Security Seals

RFS trucks are usually sealed after loading, and the seal numbers are recorded in the transport documents. These seals can only be broken in the presence of customs authorities or authorized personnel at the destination.

Integration into the Logistics Chain

RFS is fully integrated into the air freight logistics chain, operating in synergy with other links:

Connection with Flights

RFS service schedules are synchronized with flight schedules to ensure smooth connections. For example, an RFS service may be scheduled to arrive at an air hub a few hours before the departure of a long-haul flight, allowing for the transfer of freight.

Booking Systems

RFS services are integrated into airlines' booking systems, allowing shippers and forwarders to book capacity on these services in the same way as for flights.

Real-Time Tracking

Modern technologies enable real-time tracking of RFS trucks, with regular updates on their position and estimated time of arrival. This information is often accessible to customers via the same platforms used for flight tracking.

Types of RFS Services

Pre and Post-Carriage RFS

Pre and post-carriage RFS constitutes the most common application of this service, linking secondary airports to main hubs:

Pre-Carriage (First Mile)

Pre-carriage RFS involves transporting freight from an origin airport (usually secondary) to a main air hub, where it will be loaded onto an international flight. This type of service allows airlines to extend their coverage to regions where they do not operate direct flights.

Example: An RFS pre-carriage service may transport freight from Marseille to the Paris-CDG hub, from where the freight will then be shipped by air to North America.

Post-Carriage (Last Mile)

Post-carriage involves transporting freight from the arrival airport to its final destination by road. This type of RFS ensures rapid delivery, especially when the freight needs to reach areas remote from the main airport.

Example: After a flight between Hong Kong and Frankfurt, an RFS service may deliver the freight to Prague or Zurich, effectively extending the reach of the air flight.

Inter-Hub RFS

Some RFS services directly connect two major hubs to ensure logistical fluidity between an airline's main platforms. They can serve as a fallback solution in case of flight disruptions or for optimizing intercontinental transit.