Emirates SkyCargo sets new Boeing 777F record

Wednesday, 16 November 2011 01:31 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Twenty-one tonne oil part is heaviest single item ever transported on the aircraft. Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline, has set a new record for the heaviest recorded single item ever carried by a Boeing 777F.

Weighing in at 21.157 tonnes (including packaging), the item - a specialised valve used to seal, control and monitor oil and gas wells - was just short of the aircraft’s 21.624-tonne limit. The blowout preventer – which was transported from Iraq’s Erbil International Airport to Dubai – would normally be transported by sea, but the customer required a faster solution.

The shipment – 2.25 metres by 1.9m by 1.9m – tested the capabilities of the aircraft and staff to the full.

“Carrying cargo of a weight so close to the B777’s limit was very challenging,” said Nihal Wickrema, Emirates’ Manager Freighter Operations and Charters. “The highest level of care and precision planning was required by ground-handling operations at both airports. The weight had to be spread along the aircraft’s structure and the shape of the item was such that it could potentially have rolled during the flight so we had to ensure there was sufficient restraint in every direction.”

Emirates SkyCargo worked closely with dnata, the ground handling agent in Erbil, the customer – Starlight - and its delivery agent in Erbil.

“This operation was a great showcase of the expertise of everyone involved,” added Wickrema. “We always try to find a solution to even the most challenging customer requirements. It was a stern test of our operational capabilities so it is satisfying to have successfully completed the job, which is now testament to an enhanced level of service that we can offer customers.”

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event including Valentine ’s Day. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Flower Bouquets, Clothing, Watches, Lingerie, Gift Sets and Jewellery. Also if you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.