Air Partner, the global aviation services group, today announces that it will be launching a ‘Rio Express’ freight service that will operate before and after the Olympic Games this summer. In the run-up to the Games, Air Partner will have exclusive freight availability on a weekly Sunday flight from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro, starting on 10 July and ending on 24 July. The return flights will operate on 25, 26 and 27 August. The service is offered to clients worldwide and can be booked through any Air Partner office.
The outbound flights will depart from Frankfurt Airport and arrive at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport on MD11F aircraft. Air Partner’s ‘Rio Express’ is one of only two freight operators that have secured cargo slots at Galeão; all other freighters have to fly into Viracopos International Airport, which is about three hours further away from the Olympic venues by truck.
All cargo will be transported in containers to enable faster handling on arrival so the shipments can be offloaded and driven to the Olympic venues as quickly as possible. The flights will also arrive first thing on Monday morning (00.05), which will make them a priority for customs, further facilitating a speedy and efficient onward journey.
Mike Hill, Director of Freight at Air Partner, said: “Freight access to Galeão International Airport is extremely limited in the run-up to the Olympics and in the immediate aftermath, so we are delighted that we are able to offer this exclusive ‘Rio Express’. This is the second time that we have operated this type of service - following on from the success of the ‘Sochi Express’ at the 2014 Winter Olympics – and we expect it to be just as popular with clients this time around. We know that not all our freight forwarder clients will have enough cargo to warrant a full charter, and this service will enable them to transport smaller amounts in a cost-effective way. Given the location of the airport, the early arrival time and the use of containers, we don’t believe there will be a quicker way of getting cargo to the Olympic venues this summer.”
Air Partner Freight charters aircraft of every size to fly cargo anywhere, at any time, whatever its weight, size or shape. Serving freight forwarders, governments, relief and humanitarian organisations, the freight team provides bespoke air charter solutions to meet a wide range of cargo charter needs. From urgent ‘go now’ requirements moving small quantities of automotive spare parts, through to the most complex project cargo shipments taking several months to plan, Air Partner Freight has the skills, experience and expertise to ensure shipments are handled securely and reliably. Air Partner Freight has cargo specialists in the UK, USA, Dubai, Germany, France and Turkey, who provide strength of knowledge by utilising all types of aircraft for tailored charter services.