Emirates Airline’s freight division, SkyCargo, has announced a bespoke new service for Jaguar Land Rover, flying finished vehicles from the UK’s Birmingham airport to Chicago in the US.
Logistics provider Metro Shipping coordinated the service, with the first flight taking place last week. The company has a specialist automotive division located in the area.
Tom Fernihough, automotive director at Metro Shipping, said: “We have drawn on our relationships and over 35 years of experience within the automotive logistics sector to deliver benefit to all parties involved, which we will also be offering to other shippers in the region.”
The cars were carried by an Emirates SkyCargo Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft, which can carry over 100 tonnes of cargo.
Emirates SkyCargo announced the launch of the SkyWheels service, which is dedicated to classic, luxury and sports car moves, last November.
JLR global test facilities leader, Lawrence Boyle, said: “By working with Emirates SkyCargo and using Birmingham Airport, we have a hub much closer to the centre of our engineering and manufacturing operations, enabling us to transport our premium products more quickly and efficiently. We are proud to have played a role in making this happen and supporting sustainable, profitable growth."
The Lode Lane assembly plant in Solihull, a short drive from Birmingham airport, makes the Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover Sport, along with the Jaguar XE and F-Pace models. It has trebled in size since 2011 as JLR has grown to become the biggest carmaker in the country.
