Five of our most complex onboard courier routes

1. Moving semiconductors around the world

Route: Frankfurt > Lisbon > São Paulo > Manaus > Honolulu > Hong Kong > Beijing

It seemed like a straightforward request when we were asked to expedite high-value semiconductors from a supplier in Portugal to an electronics factory in Brazil. Our experts sent an onboard courier from Germany to collect the cargo and fly it to São Paulo, but on arrival, the supplier’s client realised the parts had been sent there by mistake and were actually needed in Beijing.

We sprung into action, coming up with an alternative solution in just 15 minutes. Our onboard courier caught the next flight to Hong Kong, where another flyer who could travel visa-free to mainland China was waiting to take the cargo to Beijing. Having an up-to-date flyer database and in-depth knowledge of visa requirements allowed us to pull off this last-minute re-route through multiple time zones, delivering the cargo within three days.

2. Expediting an oil pump from Houston to Papua New Guinea

Route: Houston > Los Angeles > Sydney > Melbourne > Port Moresby

When an oil rig in Papua New Guinea went out of action due to a faulty pump, we were tasked with expediting a replacement part from the United States. But with the rig in Port Moresby only reachable via Melbourne and no direct flights going there from Houston, careful planning was needed to get the urgent load there as quickly as possible.

We sourced an onboard courier who could set off immediately with the cargo, however they’d need a visa in order to enter Papua New Guinea. To avoid delaying the shipment’s departure, we got them on the next flight out to Melbourne via Sydney and set about sorting the paperwork while they were in transit. As soon as the courier’s visa was approved, we booked a second flight from Melbourne to Port Moresby, where the part was hand-delivered to the oil rig in good time.

3. Rushing cancer drugs to a cruise passenger

Route: Portland > Seattle > Miami > Havana

When a cancer patient discovered a problem with his medication during a Caribbean cruise, we had under 24 hours to deliver replacement drugs from the US to where the ship was docked in Havana before it set sail again at noon the next day. To complicate matters further, this happened back in 2022 when Covid-19 measures were in place.

We dispatched an onboard courier, who drove the package from Portland to Seattle for a midnight flight to Miami. With border restrictions preventing the American courier flying the rest of the way to Cuba, the package was then handed over to a local flyer with a European passport, who’d been cleared for travel at an out-of-hours Covid-19 testing centre. The patient was relieved to receive his medicine before the cruise ship departed Havana.

4. Rescuing a grounded aircraft in Mauritius

Dallas Fort Worth > Paris > Port Louis

When an aircraft went out of action in Mauritius, ACS Time Critical were tasked with transporting replacement parts from Texas. Knowing the operator needed to get the plane repaired and back in the air as soon as possible, we set about getting the required parts on the next flight out to the Indian Ocean island.

With just three hours to go until departure, we called around and found an onboard courier who could set off straight away. The cargo was ready and waiting at the collection point, making for a swift handover before the courier headed to the airport for the long-haul flight to Mauritius. Thanks to our quick reaction time, the replacement parts were delivered within 24 hours, and the courier enjoyed some well-deserved downtime before returning to the US.

5. Getting medical supplies to the Falkland Islands

ACS Time Critical worked alongside our office in New York to arrange the urgent transportation of vital medical supplies from Puerto Rico to the Falkland Islands, a remote British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.

With only one flight arriving into and departing the islands per week, the on-board courier spent just 90 minutes on the ground at Mount Pleasant Airport after delivering the cargo, securing the rare stamp in his passport before flying back home!

Why use ACS Time Critical?

ACS Time Critical offers bespoke hand-carry solutions to fast-track your urgent shipments from A to B. With a global network of offices and unrivalled buying power, we always offer our customers the most cost-effective solutions for door-to-door deliveries, and we’re available 24/7 to answer any questions and update you on your shipment’s progress.

Speak to our team at ACS Time Critical to find out more about our onboard courier services and tailor-made logistics solutions.