In every country in every hour of every day we are challenged to deliver. Sometimes, however, we are presented with a greater challenge that tests us even more. Below are just some of the case studies which highlight Air Partner’s unique capabilities, resources, professional attitude, attention to detail and unrivalled service.
Time Critical Dangerous Goods to Middle East – Door-to-Airport
A major UK-based airline needed to have a consignment of aircraft paint, classed as Dangerous Goods, urgently delivered to their facility in the Middle East. After discovering their usual transportation provider could not possibly meet their time-critical deadline – or even offer assistance during out of hours – the airline turned to the Air Partner team for help. Costs for the door to airport shipment were quoted by Air Partner within 15 minutes and the go-ahead was received from the client within 30 minutes.
Air Partner actions – Our team immediately arranged for the goods to be picked up from the depot with all the necessary documentation, including the Dangerous Goods Declaration Certificate. They were then delivered to Manchester airport in time to be cleared through customs and loaded onto a scheduled flight to the Middle East.
Delivery on time - During the entire process our 24-hour Operations Team kept the client fully informed of the status of the shipment and supplied key event updates. This enabled our client to advise its engineers in the Middle East for planning purposes.
Air Charter for Formula 1 Car to test track
With strict slot times for testing on the Spanish race track and with a very real need to minimise time away from their factory in the UK, an F1 team called upon Air Partner to transport their latest – and highly valuable – F1 car.
Air Partner actions – With these crucial time restrictions in mind, Air Partner moved quickly to source and provide a suitable aircraft, ready at the departure airport with the required documentation. Knowing specialist handlers in Spain with experience in handling F1 cars, Air Partner arranged for the aircraft to be met upon arrival and quickly processed for fast onward trucking to the test track.
Delivery on time – Air Partner was later called upon to arrange for another jet to transport a specialist engineer to Spain – spare part and tool kit in hand. As always, our Operations Team kept the client fully informed of the locations of the car and the engineer every step of the way.
India with an On Board Courier
A global car manufacturer based in mainland Europe, contacted Air Partner for urgent assistance. They needed a box of pipes delivered quickly to their plant in India to ensure production could continue.
Air Partner actions – Our 24-hour team determined that the quickest way to get the spares to India was via our On board Courier service. Our Time Critical specialists arranged for the spares to be delivered by express van to our On board Courier (OBC), selected from our pool of experienced staff. Air Partner then arranged for the OBC to travel via a scheduled passenger flight from Europe to India, with the box of pipes as hand luggage.
Delivery on time – Upon arrival in India, and after customs formalities had been completed, the OBC was met by a pre-arranged driver and taken to the manufacturing plant where the spares where handed over, in person, to the client’s representative. During the entire process, the OBC was constantly in contact with our 24-hour Operations Centre with status and progress updates, which were in turn immediately relayed to the client’s operational control centre.
Aircraft Engine to Dubai
Scheduled airfreight of engine in cradle door to door.
- Client – Airline
- Transportation Mode – Scheduled airfreight
- Loading Location – London, UK
- Offloading Location – Dubai
Challenge
The cargo, a Rolls Royce jet engine from a Boeing 767, was due a major overhaul which was to be undertaken in the UAE. Typically a modern jet engine will cost several million dollars, so the handling of them in transit is incredibly specialised. The engine needed to be airfreighted from the UK to Dubai. Our shipment was due to arrive during the Eid Holidays which presented some additional challenges.
Solution
Air Partner Time Critical in the UK arranged a specialist ‘air-ride’ vehicle to collect the engine in the UK. We had a member of our team at the load point to supervise and manage the loading. The airwaybill and supporting documentation had been finalised and the Security REST procedure was also pre-arranged. The engine was delivered to the scheduled airline and departed on Thursday 3rd November for Dubai.
Outcome
Our engine arrived on time in the early hours of 4th November (during Eid holidays). Our office in Dubai managed to arranged the customs clearance and final delivery on an air -ride trailer on 5th November.
The Upside
We overcame potential delivery delays of arriving during Eid, a major holiday. The aircraft operated into New Dubai Airport and the Sheikh of Dubai had an a small flypast by our aircraft as it was a brand new 747-800!
Critical components to Edinburgh – AOG
Onboard Courier of components door to door.
- Client – Airline
- Transportation mode – Onboard Courier x 2
- Loading Location – Munich and Berlin, Germany
- Offloading Location – Edinburgh
Challenge
Our airline client, had an AOG aircraft in Scotland that was due back into their flying programme in 18 hours. The components required to make the aircraft serviceable were in two locations in Germany and the client was keen to affect the fastest possible transportation method to ensure the aircraft flew as planned.
Solution
The fastest transport method for this AOG shipment would have been to arrange a full aircraft charter and this formed one of the three options put to the client within 20 minutes of their call. The other options were based on our AOG onboard courier services and this is what the client chose to run with.
Due to the AOG parts being in two different parts of Germany, two onboard couriers were used. One flew with his parts direct to Edinburgh whilst the other had to take a connecting flight then on the same destination. Both these couriers would easily meet the client’s deadline.
Outcome
The Air Partner Time Critical onboard couriers picked their respective cargoes up from the locations within 20 minutes of the client’s confirmation which had a good impact on the timeframe. The cargo was delivered inside 8 hours of confirmation and with still 10 hours until the aircraft had to be airborne!
The Upside
Using onboard couriers saved the client over 50% of the cost of a full aircraft charter and the parts all arrived with plenty of time to spare. Our client was very happy with the tracking through REDTRACK and the level and accuracy of communications and sent the following message; ‘Excellent work, one of the easiest AOG shipment I’ve had to monitor’