Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) Air Cargo Case Study: Boeing 747-400; Out-Sized Goods Supplied to Australia in Just 5 Working Days

On 21st January 2014, an Atlas Air Boeing 747-400 departed Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) bound for Perth, Australia. The story behind the shipment is a case study in how the DSA Air Cargo team provides fast, efficient and flexible services to companies with specialist, ad hoc air freight requirements.

Day 1: Enquiry and Fast Quotation

Thursday 16th January

An enquiry is received concerning an urgent, large-scale shipment from Doncaster, UK, to Perth, Australia. The 26.5 tonne load comprises 4 ‘Hagglund’ all-terrain vehicles and trailers, 4 sets of spare tracks and additional spares in case of vehicle breakdowns.

The vehicles are required by an oil company operating in Western Australia. The company needs to cross marshland to access a damaged pipeline that presents an environmental hazard and requires urgent repair – only the Hagglunds can do it.

The DSA air freight team – comprising the airport, Anglo World Cargo and Servisair – works closely to respond to the enquiry without delay.

Day 2: Goods Received at Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The vehicles arrive at DSA’s transit shed where they are check-weighed immediately. They are then wrapped fully on site for REST (security) procedures to make the shipment ‘known’ for flight.

Day 3: Goods Checked and Packed

‘Dangerous goods’ checks are completed. The vehicles are then built onto 20ft. aircraft pallets and each vehicle is secured with 20 straps.

Day 4: Boeing 747-400 Departs from DSA

With the load prepared ready for flight, the load master arrives and confirms that all paperwork is collated, with export licences and customs entries completed.

• At 20.50, the Atlas Air 747-400 lands at DSA

• Servisair then collects the shipment and loads it through the nose of the aircraft using a high loader

• The Atlas Air 747-400 departs DSA half an hour early for its travel to Australia 

Day 5: Boeing 747-400 Arrives in Perth, Australia

After taking a stop in Dubai for crew change and fuel, the aircraft lands in Perth. The vehicles arrive on site that same afternoon, ready to repair the damaged pipeline and prevent further environmental damage.

Air Cargo at DSA: Speed, Flexibility and Service

The goods were delivered on site in Western Australia within 5 working days of initial contact. The case study provides a typical example of the speed, flexibility and service available to specialist air freight customers at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.