Connecting Carrier

A connecting carrier is a carrier whose service the cargo is to be transferred for onward connecting transportation. Interline carriage involves the carriage over the routes of two or more air carriers. Each connecting carrier handles a specific segment of the overall journey, with liability and responsibility transferring at designated handover points between carriers. The Transfer Manifest (TRM) serves as the document executed by the transferring carrier upon transfer of interline cargo and endorsed by the receiving carrier as a receipt for the consignment transferred.

Lufthansa Cargo (AWB prefix 020) operates a shipment from Frankfurt to Singapore with a connection in Bangkok, where Thai Airways International (AWB prefix 217) serves as the connecting carrier for the Bangkok-Singapore segment. Emirates SkyCargo (AWB prefix 176) transports cargo on AWB 176-12345678 from Dubai to Los Angeles with a connection in New York, where American Airlines Cargo (AWB prefix 001) acts as the connecting carrier for the final segment.

• interline carrier
• onward carrier

What document proves cargo transfer between the original carrier and connecting carrier?

The Transfer Manifest (TRM) is the document executed by the transferring carrier upon transfer of interline cargo and endorsed by the receiving carrier as a receipt for the consignment transferred. This document establishes the exact moment responsibility transfers between carriers and notes any visible damage or discrepancies at handover.

Who is liable if cargo damage occurs during the connecting carrier's segment?

Under interline agreements, liability is segmented, with each carrier responsible only for their transport leg. Liability follows the location and timing of damage, with interchange receipts documenting cargo condition at transfer points establishing which carrier held responsibility when damage occurred. The connecting carrier bears liability for damage occurring during their designated segment.