Rio Olympics driving more unconventional deliveries

In the days before the Opening Ceremony for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games kicks off this evening, forwarders and carriers of specialty cargo have been working overtime to bring equipment, infrastructure and even animals to the balmy Brazilian shores.

American Airlines Cargo, for instance, delivered more than 65 tonnes of goods to Rio in time for the Games, including athletic gear and high-resolution broadcasting equipment. In one of the largest such movements ever attempted, the broadcasting equipment was shipped from Japan and London to Rio for filming the events.

Over a three-week period, AA Cargo transported the gear to Rio’s Galeão International Airport (GIG) via two American Airlines gateway hubs, Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA). The consignment entailed 14 separate trips, transported in the bellies of American’s widebody aircraft.

The quadrennial event has necessitated other unique shipments along the AA network to Brazil. These include sporting goods out of Australia and a slew of athletic trappings from around the world.

“Our teams in locations all over the world worked closely together to ensure the safe and timely arrival of all elements involved,” said American’s managing director of Cargo Sales – Asia, Keijiro Ishii, who is based in Tokyo. “It’s great to hear that everything is ready to go and we look forward to watching the crystal clear results being beamed from Brazil.”

More than 185 horses from around Europe and Russia also passed through Liège Airport this week on their way to the equestrian events held during the Olympic Games. With so much riding on the state of these beasts, Emirates was brought on board to ensure a safe air bridge between Liège and Rio, as well as other routes leading to the game.

In total, 233 horses, along with their grooms and vets, boarded Emirates’ flights from destinations as far away as New Zealand and Japan. The bulk of this equine cargo was comprised of feed, (in addition to in-flight meals), cargo for stabling and housing the animals and 40 liters of water per horse.

Back in Belgium, the competitors will have to pony up the cash to stay at the Horse Inn, in Liège. Meanwhile, passage on board a SkyCargo 777F costs a cool US$22,325 for the return trip, with the tab picked up by the Rio 2016 organizing committee.

Join us for networking and discussion of logistics innovation at Air Cargo World’s new ELEVATE 2016 Conference, Oct. 10, in Miami.