Imagine your valuable shipments crossing the Atlantic aboard TAP Air Portugal flights, bound for distant destinations. The airline's comprehensive cargo tracking system provides real-time visibility, ensuring secure and timely deliveries across its global network.
1. TAP Air Portugal: A Strategic Global Connector
Hub Network and Worldwide Reach
As Portugal's flag carrier since 1945, TAP Air Portugal has developed an extensive logistics network connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Headquartered at Lisbon Airport (LIS), the Star Alliance member operates over 70 aircraft with belly-hold capacity, serving 90+ destinations.
Lisbon Airport handles over 150,000 tons of annual cargo throughput, ranking among Europe's top 30 freight hubs.
The airline's transatlantic positioning creates efficient routing options. For example, the "South Atlantic Express" service between Lisbon and São Paulo (GRU) completes the journey in approximately 9 hours.
Service Coverage Across Continents
TAP's air cargo network spans:
- Europe: Major hubs including London (LHR), Paris (CDG), and Frankfurt (FRA)
- Africa: Key ports like Dakar (DSS), Lagos (LOS), and Luanda (LAD)
- South America: Core cities such as São Paulo (GRU), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and Brasília (BSB)
- North America: Gateways including New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), and Toronto (YYZ)
2. Cargo Tracking: Real-Time Visibility
Official Tracking Portal
Shippers can monitor shipments through:
- The airline's official website cargo section
- Direct access to the tracking interface
Air Waybill Requirements
The 11-digit Air Waybill (AWB) follows the format "047-XXXXXXXX" where:
- 047 represents TAP's IATA carrier code
- The remaining 8 digits constitute the unique shipment identifier
Status Definitions
The tracking system displays real-time updates including:
- Booked: Cargo received and processed
- In Transit: Shipment en route to destination
- In Transit - Transfer: At connecting hub (e.g., Lisbon)
- Delivered: Arrived at destination airport
- Customs Clearance: Undergoing import procedures
The system refreshes every 20 minutes, with status history maintained for 90 days.
3. Transit Times and Variables
Average Timelines
- Europe-Africa: 2-3 days (Lisbon-Dakar flight time ~6 hours)
- Europe-South America: 3-4 days (Lisbon-São Paulo ~9 hours direct)
- Transatlantic: 5-7 days for connecting services via Azores
Potential Disruptions
Factors affecting schedules include:
- Atlantic hurricane season (June-November) potentially increasing delay rates by 30%
- Belly-hold loading efficiency on passenger flights
- Varying customs processing times (e.g., average 48 hours in Brazil)
4. Specialized Cargo Services
Controlled Shipments
TAP accommodates specialized freight including:
- Temperature-sensitive: Vaccines requiring -20°C to 8°C control
- Live animals: Transported per IATA Live Animals Regulations
- Regulated goods: Certified dangerous goods (classes 2-9)
Pricing Structure
Cost calculations consider:
- Chargeable weight (greater of actual or volumetric weight)
- Monthly-adjusted fuel surcharges (currently ~18% of base rate)
5. Asian Market Connectivity
TAP serves Asian markets through:
- Direct cargo facilities in Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong
- Partnerships with global logistics providers for last-mile delivery
- Connections via Singapore (SIN) and Bangkok (BKK) for ASEAN coverage