A sporting organisation needed our help to fly 300 passengers and their outsized equipment between Europe and North America for a critical sporting event.
Moving athletes and tonnes of equipment between continents
A sporting organisation tasked our London office with helping to transport 300 passengers and several tonnes of equipment between Europe and North America for a sporting event. The athletes needed to get from the first round in Norway to subsequent heats in Utah, Canada, and Germany. With several international flights required over a two-week period, a tailored charter solution was needed for the complex request.
Our Solution
Route: Oslo > Salt Lake City > Calgary > Munich
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200 ER, Boeing 737 MAX 9, Boeing 737 BCF
As the athletes were spending a week in each destination, the most cost-effective plan was to charter separate planes for different legs of the trip. Recommending a wide-body airliner for the two long-haul routes and two smaller aircraft for the short-haul sector, we sourced several options before confirming a Boeing 777-200ER and two Boeing 737 MAX 9s.
The original request included 15 tonnes of sporting equipment, which was later increased to 25 tonnes. With no space on the passenger aircraft for the extra 10 tonnes and no guarantee that scheduled services would deliver it in time, our cargo team was brought in, quickly arranging the charter of a Boeing 737 Converted Freighter to transport the surplus kit.
Careful planning was needed to fit the hundreds of bulky bags on the passenger aircraft. Our cargo experts were on-hand to advise the operator of the best unit loading devices to help maximise the space. We also saved time by arranging for much of the cargo to be delivered to the airport in Oslo the day before departure, allowing us to pack it up overnight before it was loaded smoothly the next morning.
The Finer Details
Flight Representation: Our team was present throughout the operation, providing onboard and ground handling support whilst quickly handling any issues that arose.
Attention to Detail: We personalised the long-haul flights with branded headrest covers, eye masks and pillowcases, as well as arranging end-of-season drinks on the final flight.
Industry Contacts: Enlisting a trusted logistics partner and customs broker in North America, we were able to help minimise import charges for the surplus equipment.
International Network: Our team in London reached out to colleagues at ACS Houston for help sourcing an aircraft for the flight from Utah to Calgary.