We were asked to help deliver critical satellite equipment to restore communications for first responders and victims of the Maui wildfires.
Delivering critical satellite equipment to Maui
In August 2023, a freight forwarder working for a North American wireless network operator asked us to help deliver critical satellite equipment from the mainland to Hawaii. Five mobile cell tower trailers, each weighing 4,000 lbs, were needed to restore communications for first responders and victims of the Maui wildfires. Scheduled services could fly the outsize relief cargo to Honolulu, followed by a lengthy barge transfer to Maui, but the client needed a quicker solution.
Our Solution
Route: Los Angeles > Honolulu > Kahului
Aircraft: Lockheed L-100 Hercules
We initially looked at sourcing a freighter to transport the large freight all the way from Los Angeles to Maui.
When reaching out to operators, we learned there was a Lockheed L-100 Hercules positioned in Hawaii that was available to charter.
With this in mind, we suggested using a scheduled service to fly the trailers to Honolulu on a Boeing B747, then shuttling them to Maui on the Hercules.
Once the client had approved the plan, we positioned a second freighter to assist with the shuttle runs and ensure the cargo was delivered as quickly as possible.
Combining a scheduled service and air cargo charter saved the client a significant amount of money compared with a direct charter from North America. It was also much faster than using a sea transfer in Hawaii.
The Finer Details
Rapid Response: Our experienced team confirmed a solution within hours of receiving the request.
Unrivalled Expertise: We thought outside the box to deliver the most time- and cost-effective solution.