An aircraft earns money in the air and loses it on the ground. When a fault grounds it — a failed component, a damaged part, a missing tool — the operator is in an AOG situation, and a single part standing between the aircraft and its next departure can cost thousands of dollars per hour in lost revenue, crew disruption and knock-on delays. AOG logistics exists to close that gap as fast as physics and paperwork allow.
What "AOG" actually means
AOG — Aircraft on Ground — is the aviation term for an aircraft that cannot return to service until a problem is resolved. In logistics it has become shorthand for the most urgent tier of freight there is: get this part to that aircraft, anywhere in the world, by the fastest legal means. The same discipline applies beyond aviation — a stalled production line or a critical medical device is, in effect, its own AOG.
Why it isn't normal air freight
Standard air freight optimises for cost and consolidation. AOG optimises for one thing: elapsed time. That changes everything — the booking happens in minutes, the shipment is watched continuously, and the team works around the clock and across time zones. There is no "we'll quote you tomorrow." Our 24/7 desk exists precisely because AOG doesn't keep office hours. (For the wider trade-offs between speed and cost, see our guide to air vs sea freight.)
The AOG toolkit
There's no single method — the right tool depends on the part, the route and the deadline:
| Method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Next Flight Out (NFO) | Cargo booked on the very next available flight as priority freight. | Most urgent shipments where a scheduled flight serves the route soon. |
| On-Board Courier (OBC) | A courier hand-carries the part as accompanied baggage, door to door. | Maximum speed and control; high-value or irreplaceable parts. |
| Charter | A dedicated aircraft when no scheduled service fits, or the part is too large. | Remote destinations, oversized parts, or whole-AOG recovery. |
| Priority road feeder | Expedited trucking for the first/last mile or regional moves. | Connecting airports to the apron and final destination fast. |
The clock: from request to wheels-up
What separates a good AOG provider is the speed of the first hour. A typical sequence:
- Minute zero: request received; part details, weight, dimensions and any DG status captured.
- Routing: flight options and couriers checked simultaneously; the fastest viable path chosen.
- Booking & build: space secured, part collected, packed and labelled for priority handling.
- Export & security: documentation prepared, export and security screening cleared.
- In motion: continuous tracking, proactive updates, and a plan B held in reserve.
- Recovery: import pre-cleared at destination so the part moves straight to the aircraft.
The fastest flight is worthless if the part is stuck in clearance. In AOG, the win is made in preparation — paperwork ready before the wheels leave the ground.
Customs, certificates & traceability
Aircraft parts aren't ordinary cargo. They frequently require certificates of conformity and full traceability, may fall under export controls or dual-use rules, and can move on an ATA Carnet for temporary admission (for tooling or loan units, for example). Some are also dangerous goods — think chemical oxygen generators, pyrotechnic devices, or units containing batteries — bringing the rules from our dangerous goods guide into play. Pre-clearance and prepared documents are what keep the part moving instead of waiting.
What a real AOG desk does
Delman runs a 24/7 operations desk answered by people who can act, not a queue. For aerospace customers that means immediate routing decisions, accredited dangerous-goods handling where required, charter access for the cases that need it, and end-to-end coordination through our Dubai hub — one of the best-connected points on earth for reaching Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond.
Frequently asked questions
What does AOG mean in logistics?
Aircraft on Ground — an aircraft that can't fly until a fault is fixed, usually awaiting a part. AOG logistics is the time-critical movement of that part to the aircraft as fast as possible, because every grounded hour is expensive.
What is an on-board courier (OBC)?
A person who hand-carries the shipment as accompanied baggage on the next passenger flight, staying with it door to door. Often the fastest option for the most urgent parts.
How fast can an AOG part be delivered?
Speed depends on routing, flight availability, customs and whether the part is dangerous goods or export-controlled. Our 24/7 desk is built to act immediately and choose the fastest viable legal path.
Do AOG parts need special customs handling?
Frequently. They may need certificates of conformity and traceability, fall under export controls, or move on an ATA Carnet. Pre-clearance and prepared paperwork prevent the part being held while the aircraft waits.
