Delayed
The shipment has missed its scheduled flight or connection due to bad weather, operational delays, space shortages, mechanical issues, or documentation discrepancies.
What Does DLT Mean in Air Cargo?
The status code DLT (representing Delayed) is a standard milestone defined by the IATA Cargo Interchange Message Procedures (Cargo-IMP). It serves as a key check-in event scanned by airline personnel or cargo terminal operators. Tracking this event provides shippers and logistics providers with end-to-end visibility, ensuring that transit connections, cargo transfer, and customs clearance proceed in an orderly manner.
What to Do Next? (Consignee Advice)
Recommended Steps:
Contact the airline or your freight forwarder to request the updated booking details and the new flight schedule.
Carrier-Specific Naming Quirks
Although the IATA Cargo-IMP standard prescribes the status code DLT, different global airlines and cargo handlers often display this milestone under customized labels. Here is how major carriers translate it:
Singapore Airlines labels this as 'Offloaded', Cathay Cargo terms it 'Delayed / Rolled', and Emirates shows 'Flight Delay'.
Typical Next Status Milestone
In the standard lifecycle of an air freight shipment, once the cargo passes through the Delayed (DLT) milestone, it is expected to transition into the following phase:
➡️ MAN (Re-booked) or DEP (Departed on New Flight)
Frequently Asked Questions
On your Air Waybill (AWB), the status code DLT represents Delayed. This status notifies shippers and consignees that The shipment has missed its scheduled flight or connection due to bad weather, operational delays, space shortages, mechanical issues, or documentation discrepancies.
The time a shipment remains in DLT depends on carrier schedules and transit phases. Typically, it transitions within 12 to 36 hours. If a shipment remains in this status for several days without updates, we recommend contacting your freight forwarder or broker for clarification.
Track Air Cargo
Enter your 11-digit AWB number to track cargo status instantly.