Demands from consumers and industry for faster transports of goods have fuelled the rapid growth in air freight transportation during the previous decades. It has been shown to be an important means in the movement of goods in support of supply chains on a global scale. The authors of this thesis discovered that there was little research previously conducted when it concerns risk within the industry, specifically concerned with air freight handling processes.

Subsequently, the purpose of this thesis is to identify and explore risk factors within the air freight handling processes. Furthermore, the research questions seek to critically examine who the actors are within the process and what roles they have. The thesis then identifies the key elements of risk within the process, and how the actors concerned manage, control, and address them. Furthermore, ways in which this could be improved were explored.

To address the research problem, the authors approached this using a single embedded case study based on the air freight handling processes located at Jönköping airport. Data was collected using observations and interviews with four key participants of the specific air freight handling process. The empirical data was then analysed using four key themes’ derived from theory. Furthermore, propositions were presented from the results that emerged from the data which could be used a basis for further research.

The findings that address the thesis’ research purpose and questions indicate that the major elements of risk exist are that of physical and financial. In addressing these risks, the actors involved in air freight handling processes were flexible and pro-active their activities. Furthermore, the analysis indicated that reducing dependency could be a way to further improve how these risks are managed.