New charter tool for ad hoc charters: any aircraft, anytime, anywhere

For almost 30 years, Panalpina’s unique Charter Network has provided valuable services to its customers all around the globe. Panalpina uses one Boeing 747-8F cargo plane, leased by the company, plus charter aircraft to ensure it can always meet the requirements of its customers. By operating this unmatched network, Panalpina can guarantee global reach and vast capacity whilst offering more flexibility and control. Through the Charter Network, Panalpina organizes around 1,500 charters per year.

Going online

The Panalpina Charter Network can now be easily accessed at aircharter.panalpina.com. Panalpina’s new charter tool provides an up-to-date overview of scheduled cargo flights and of all cargo aircraft in the world – big and small – available for chartering on any given day. The charter tool focuses on user-experience with a responsive design featuring drag-and-drop origin and destination functionality, current aircraft availability by geography and routes, types of aircraft and much more.

“Especially during seasons with high and ad-hoc demand or in case of emergencies, customers can rely on the charter tool. The semi-annual retendering of our subcontractors and respective framework agreements keep the Charter Network up-to-date and agile, ensuring that Panalpina can always provide a reliable and secure transport across the globe at any given time,” says Lucas Kuehner, Panalpina’s global head of Air Freight. “We are the only freight forwarder that can offer this type of network and the charter tool provides easy access to it.”

Reducing complexity

Finding an ad-hoc charter flight and requesting and individual offer becomes easy. Customers simply select the start and destination airports and then select the earliest pick-up and latest delivery dates. With additional information about weight and height of the cargo, the tool suggests the most suitable charter solutions. Customers can then immediately request an individual offer based on the provided information.

Made for special freight

“The Panalpina Charter Network is ideal for the handling of special cargo such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, microchips, oversized oil and gas equipment, helicopters, cars, radioactive and explosive cargo as well as high-value goods,” Kuehner explains.

Flexibility in timing, routing and delivery mode are key requirements of Panalpina’s customers, particularly in the oil and gas industry. Panalpina’s oil and gas experts can be reached through the charter tool 24/7. They use the Panalpina Charter Network to transport goods to the farthest corners of this world in the most efficient way. The nose-loading capability of Panalpina’s Boeing 747-8 Freighter is very useful for shipping oil and gas industry goods. Depending on a customer’s need, Panalpina also regularly charters other types of aircraft such as the MD-11, Antonov-12, Antonov-124 and Ilyushin-76.

About the Panalpina Charter Network

Panalpina is the only major freight forwarding company that runs its own transport network for air freight. Panalpina’s Charter Network handles approximately 15% of the air freight shipped by the company.

Panalpina uses two main options for moving goods through its Charter Network. These are:

• Leased aircraft

Panalpina operates one nose-loading Boeing 747-8F plane that it leases on an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) basis from Atlas Air. It is the backbone of the Panalpina Charter Network. The Boeing 747-8F is the largest 747 ever built, and the largest commercial aircraft manufactured in the U.S. Maximum payload for the aircraft is 140 t and its maximum take-off weight is 442 t. At 76.3 m long the 747-8F offers 16% more volume than its predecessor (the 747-400F) and is able to transport up to 20 t more.

• Chartered aircraft

As part of the Panalpina Charter Network, Panalpina charters either whole aircraft or arranges part-charters. This happens on both a scheduled and ad hoc basis. Given the company’s large presence at Luxembourg Findel Airport, it also has an agreement with Cargolux, one of the largest cargo-only airlines in the world. Similarly, it has agreements with Atlas Air and some of the largest operators in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and other territories, to ensure that space is always available for customer shipments.

Emergency Services

Panalpina’s Charter Network has the flexibility to overcome any emergency issue that could cause costly production downtime, for example in the oil and gas and automotive industries. The shutdown of an oil rig or assembly line is the worst-case scenario for any company in these industries. To prevent this from happening, Panalpina deploys on-board couriers, part and full charter aircraft, helicopters or any combination of transport methods for urgent shipments. Panalpina’s experienced team and global network ensures even the world’s most remote areas can be reached in the fastest possible time.

The on-board courier is a service where a courier carries the time-critical shipment on-board a passenger flight as baggage. In times of lean production management and “just-in-time” production, Panalpina has extended this service and created tailor made transport solutions for the automotive industry. This service has become extremely important for its global customers. It offers highly reliable solutions for emergency shipments, 24/7, 365 days a year. With almost 500 on-board courier services deployed every year, Panalpina is a market leader in this field.