Volga-Dnepr Airlines (VDA) and Kintetsu World Express France (KWE) have saved a customer a 20-day sea journey with their seven-hour airfreight solution, organising a charter flight to Damman, Saudi Arabia, from Paris-Vatry, France.
The cargo onboard was an 11,000 horsepower Alstom motorised pump.
The 40t pump, measuring 651 x 274 x 311cm, was transported onboard one of Volga-Dnepr’s An-124-100 ramp aircraft just seven days after the initial charter request was received from the customer. The motorised pump will be used as a spare part to replace an unserviceable unit.
Volga-Dnepr’s load planning team advised on the correct preparation of the shipment in advance of the flight date, a process which embraced not only removing sea freight packaging but also fitting shackles and eye bolts to secure the cargo during its flight. VDA used loading equipment, a rail system, extensions ramps and skate beams, as well as mobile cranes to guarantee a seamless and intact loading process at both the departure and arrival airports.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines deputy commercial director Ekaterina Andreeva said: “This transportation showcases the benefits of airfreight solutions over other logistics modes, as we were able to deliver this essential spare part back to Saudi Arabia faster than other transport companies.
“The whole delivery took 6 hours and 45 minutes, whereas with sea freight transportation the customer would have waited 20+ days. Our experience and efficiency in handling every charter request, as well as the expertise of the commercial team, gives Volga-Dnepr a unique advantage in the market.”
In 2018, Volga-Dnepr met the demand for its specialist services from a variety of different industries, including aerospace, energy and heavy machinery sector, and the oil and gas sector, providing highly qualified expertise in handling complicated oversize equipment using its more than 28 years’ experience. The highest growth this year-to-date has come from the oil and gas sector, with cargoes carried up by more than 40% compared to the same period of 2017.