When Time Is Critical: Refrigerated Air Freight Services

Sometimes your frozen products can’t wait. Whether it’s urgent restaurant supplies, time-sensitive medical items, or high-value perishables that need to reach their destination fast, The Frozen Food Courier partners with Safe Fly Express to provide next-day refrigerated air freight services across South Africa.

Who This Service Is For

Our refrigerated air freight service is ideal for:

• Restaurants and hotels facing urgent ingredient shortages or special event requirements
• Medical and pharmaceutical companies transporting temperature-sensitive products that need rapid delivery
• High-value food producers shipping premium frozen goods (specialty seafood, artisan products, gourmet items)
• Event caterers needing emergency supplies for large-scale functions
• Food manufacturers managing urgent intercity transfers
• Retailers restocking critical inventory items that can’t wait for road freight

Our Coverage

Same and Next-day delivery anywhere within South Africa through our partnership with Safe Fly Express air cargo.

Primary routes include:

• Gauteng ↔ Cape Town – Same and Next day possible
• Johannesburg ↔ Durban – Same and Next day possible
• Any South African city with airport access (require a quote from Safe Fly)

We provide airport-to-door service, handling the complete cold chain from origin airport through to your business location.

What Makes Our Air Freight Different

Partnership With Safe Fly Express

We’ve partnered with Safe Fly Express, a specialized air cargo provider that understands the urgency of time-sensitive shipments. Their air freight capabilities combined with our cold chain expertise create a seamless refrigerated air transport solution.

Same- and Next-Day Delivery Capability

Safe Fly Express guarantees same- and next-day delivery anywhere within South Africa, ensuring your frozen products reach their destination without delay.

Rapid Response Times

Safe Fly Express also offer unscheduled flights available with a minimum lead time of just three hours – perfect for genuine emergencies and last-minute requirements.

Complete Temperature Control

From collection through air transport to final delivery, we maintain unbroken cold chain integrity:

• Temperature-controlled collection and delivery vehicles
• Proper handling during airport transfers
• Continuous monitoring throughout the journey
• Airport climate-controlled storage when required

Premium for a Reason

Air freight costs more than road transport, but when time is critical and product value is high, it’s the investment that protects your business.

Temperature Ranges We Maintain

• Frozen products: -12°C to -15°C throughout the entire journey
• Continuous monitoring from collection to delivery
• Real-time temperature alerts if deviations occur
• Full documentation of temperature records for compliance

Typical Transit Times

• Same-day service: Collection to delivery within business hours (morning collection, afternoon delivery)
• Next-day service: Collection to delivery within business hours (morning collection, next morning delivery)
• Unscheduled flights: Available with 3-hour minimum preparation time
• Airport-to-door: Delivery completed within hours of landing

Transit times depend on flight availability, airport locations, and final delivery zone.

How It Works

1. Flight Coordination – We work with Safe Fly Express to arrange the fastest possible routing
2. Temperature-Controlled Collection – We collect from your location in our refrigerated vehicle
3. Airport Transfer – Careful handling ensures cold chain integrity during airport processing
4. Air Transport – Safe Fly Express provides rapid air cargo service
5. Final Delivery – We deliver from destination airport to final location in our refrigerated vehicle
6. Confirmation – You receive delivery confirmation with temperature records

Pricing

Air freight pricing is premium and varies based on:

• Origin and destination airports
• Weight and volume of shipment
• Urgency (scheduled vs unscheduled flight)
• Time of booking
• Special handling requirements

For planned air freight shipments, advance booking can help optimize costs.

When To Choose Air Freight Over Road Freight

Choose Air Freight When:

• Time is absolutely critical (event tomorrow, emergency shortage)
• Product value justifies premium shipping costs
• Long-distance transport needed in minimal time
• Road freight transit time is unacceptable
• Product is time-sensitive (ultra-premium items with short shelf life)

Choose Road Freight When:

• You have 3-5 days for delivery
• Cost efficiency is the priority
• Shipment size is large (pallet quantities)
• Regular scheduled deliveries are acceptable

Perfect for High-Stakes Situations

Restaurant Emergencies

Michelin-starred dinner tonight but your specialty ingredients didn’t arrive? We can get them there same- or next-day.

Event Catering

Wedding for 500 guests and your frozen seafood is stuck across the country? We’ll have it there before prep time.

Medical Urgency

Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical needs to reach a patient quickly? Our cold chain meets medical standards.

Business Critical

Retail launch or grand opening depending on product arrival? We ensure you open on schedule.