The first air shipment The first air freight shipment took to the skies in 1910 , when a US department store flew 200Ibs of silk 65 miles from Dayton to Columbus . The Model B plane , invented by the Wright Brothers , raced against an express train to see which transport mode would be quickest . The plane won easily , showing that air freight was a viable shipping option .

Airmail The potential of air for moving was further highlighted in 1911 , when the UK ran a month-long trial to deliver mail by air as part of the Coronation celebrations for King George V . The flights flew 21 miles , from London to Windsor Castle . The experiment lasted for just 16 flights , due to constant severe bad weather .

World War II Huge strides in air freight were made during the war years , with planes playing an important strategic role as the quickest way to transport troops , weapons and supplies . During WWII , engineers in both the UK and Germany raced to develop the jet propulsion engine technology that would change air travel forever …

16 December 2022