GTA Online's Air Freight Cargo business, introduced with the Smuggler's Run update in 2017 and expanded in 2023, only starts when several conditions are met: owning a Smuggler Hangar and being registered as a leader. This guide summarises what Rockstar Games' official announcements say, so you can find what is blocking you.
Problem
- You cannot find how to launch an Air Freight Cargo Source mission.
- Your Hangar stock stays empty and you do not know how to sell it.
- You are confusing the Smuggler Hangar with the McKenzie Field Hangar.
- You want to avoid flying missions and do not know ground missions exist.
What to know before acting
- The Hangar is the core of the business: Rockstar presents the Hangar as the centre of your smuggling ring, coming with a Cuban 800 and options (living quarters, aircraft workshop, office, aircraft storage).
- Locations: Rockstar's announcements mention the Smuggler Hangars at Fort Zancudo and LSIA (Los Santos International Airport). They are sold on the Maze Bank Foreclosures website.
- Required status: the 2017 announcement reserves the business for CEOs, MC Presidents and VIPs.
- The management app: missions go through the Free Trade Shipping Co. app, introduced by Nervous Ron, on the Hangar laptop.
- Do not confuse: the McKenzie Field Hangar (Grapeseed) is used for Oscar Guzman's Arms Trafficking missions, a different activity.
- In-game names: the official sources read are in English. Labels in localised versions of the game may differ.
Step 1: buy a Smuggler Hangar
When to use it: you do not own any Hangar at Fort Zancudo or LSIA.
Suggested solution
- Open the Maze Bank Foreclosures website from the in-game phone's internet browser.
- Choose a Smuggler Hangar (Fort Zancudo or LSIA) and compare the options offered before confirming. Discounts announced by Rockstar are temporary.
- Then go to the Hangar and enter it once.
Expected result: you can enter your Hangar and find the laptop there.
Rollback: this is a GTA$ purchase. The announcements read do not describe any refund: check the location and options before confirming.
Step 2: register as a CEO, MC President or VIP
When to use it: you own the Hangar, but the laptop does not let you launch a mission.
Suggested solution
- Open the Interaction Menu and register as a CEO (if you own an Executive Office), VIP or MC President (if you own a Clubhouse).
- Go back to the Hangar laptop and open Free Trade Shipping Co.
Expected result: the app offers Source and Sell missions.
When to stop: if you cannot register as a CEO, see our topic Unable to become a CEO in GTA Online.
Step 3: fill the Hangar (Source)
When to use it: your stock is empty.
Suggested solution
- In Free Trade Shipping Co., launch a Source mission to acquire cargo.
- If you prefer staying on the ground: since June 2023, Rockstar lists four ground Source Missions, available by choosing the Land option when launching.
- Without doing the mission yourself: Rockstar states that Rooster McCraw, hanging out at the Hangar, can source cargo for a small fee.
Expected result: the Hangar stock increases after each successful delivery.
When to stop: if a successful mission adds nothing to your stock, note the cargo type and the message shown at the end, then reply to this topic.
Step 4: sell the cargo
When to use it: your Hangar holds stock.
Suggested solution
- From the Hangar laptop, launch a Sell mission. The 2017 announcement describes buyers awaiting an air-dropped delivery.
- For a ground sale, use the Land option: Rockstar added three such Sell Missions in June 2023.
- If you own a Terrorbyte, Rockstar states that since December 2022 Business Sell Missions can also be launched from it, in all session types.
Expected result: the sale completes and the payout is displayed.
Special cases
| Situation | What Rockstar states |
|---|---|
| You are looking for your personal aircraft | Aircraft stored in the Hangar can be called up as a Personal Vehicle from the Interaction Menu. |
| You also own the McKenzie Field Hangar | It adds aircraft storage slots (15, or 20 for GTA+ Members, according to the March 2025 announcement). For its missions, see Oscar Guzman missions missing in GTA Online. |
| Announced bonus missing | Weekly bonuses (for example 2X on Air Freight Cargo Sell Missions in March 2025, or Rooster hauling two crates in half the time) have an end date. |
| Hangar used for the Avenger | A fully equipped Hangar can also store and customise the Avenger (June 2023 announcement). |
Final check
- ☐ You own a Smuggler Hangar (Fort Zancudo or LSIA).
- ☐ You are registered as a CEO, VIP or MC President.
- ☐ Free Trade Shipping Co. opens on the Hangar laptop.
- ☐ A Source mission or Rooster McCraw's help fills the stock.
- ☐ A Sell mission launches.
Sources
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: GTA Online: Smuggler's Run Now Available (29/08/2017: Hangars with a Cuban 800 and options, business for CEOs, MC Presidents and VIPs, Free Trade Shipping Co. app with Nervous Ron, air-dropped delivery, calling aircraft from the Interaction Menu)
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: GTA Online: San Andreas Mercenaries Now Available (13/06/2023: four ground Source Missions and three Sell Missions via the Land option on the Hangar laptop, Rooster McCraw, Avenger storage)
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: GTA Online: Los Santos Drug Wars Now Available (13/12/2022: increased payouts in Smuggler's Sell Missions, Sell Missions launchable from the Terrorbyte in all session types)
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: GTA Online: Oscar Guzman Flies Again Now Available (05/03/2025: Smuggler Hangar sold on Maze Bank Foreclosures, extra storage slots with the McKenzie Field Hangar)
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: Cash In With Double Rewards on New Arms Trafficking Missions (14/03/2025: Smuggler Hangars at Fort Zancudo and LSIA)
- Rockstar Games announcement on Steam: Reach New Heights with Double Rewards on Air Freight Cargo Sell Missions (27/03/2025: temporary 2X bonus and faster sourcing by Rooster McCraw)
Still having the problem?
Reply with your platform (PC Enhanced, PC Legacy, PS5, Xbox Series…), your Hangar's location, your status (CEO, VIP, MC President) and what Free Trade Shipping Co. shows. Never post your email address, your Rockstar ID or your password.