Air Canada and OEC Canada undergo screen test

Air Canada Cargo moves an IMAX screen. Photo: Air Canada

 Air Canada Cargo said it recently shipped an IMAX screen housed in a crate that is one of the largest items it has ever fit into a Boeing B767 freighter.

The cargo carrier worked with freight forwarder OEC Canada to fit the 44 ft long, 800 kg crate in the B767,  but stressed it had never transported something this long in a B767F before, which meant the team literally had to write the manual on how to properly and safely ship the screen.

This task fell to Mamun Ansari, cargo operations engineering manager at Air Canada Cargo, who oversaw the development of the engineering plans for the shipment from Toronto to Quito.

It took days to put together and included building a mock-up of the crate using ABS pipes to ensure a proof of concept was developed to ensure everything would work as planned.

That planning also involved working closely with Air Canada Cargo’s procedures and safety team, who vetted each step of the meticulous plan to ensure it was safe for employees and the cargo alike.

The plan involved using two loaders, placed at a canted angle to the B767, that would simultaneously lift the crate, while a team of up to 20 Air Canada Cargo employees helped manoeuvre the crate into position inside the maindeck. After several hours of methodical movements, the crate was in its final resting place and secured for its flight to Quito.

Once there, the team in Quito used three loaders to safely get the screen off the 767.

Air Canada Cargo IMAX Screen transport

Air Canada Cargo IMAX screen inside aircraft. Photo: Air Canada

“We had to think outside the box because this was something we never did before, and despite some initial thoughts of ‘what did we get ourselves into,’ everyone on the team bought into the challenge and was excited to solve this puzzle. We felt it would be a real feather in our cap,” said Ansari.

“OEC and Air Canada Cargo were able to put their knowledge and experience to work to find an outside the box solution to ship the screen to its final destination,” added Marc Bibeau, president and chief executive, OEC Canada.

“In doing so, that saved several days off the shipping time and avoided the need to move the screen through a U.S. gateway, ensuring the screen arrived on site in a timely manner so the show could go on.

“I am extremely proud of the work done by both our teams to get the job done.”

Air Canada Cargo’s freighter frenzy

Air Canada expands freighter operations into the US

Share this story

Related Topics

Latest airlines news

Reports: China Airlines mulls order for four freighters

Taiwan-based China Airlines is reportedly considering placing an order for new freighters against a backdrop of maintaining Taiwan’s relationship with…

Read More

Share this story

Double-digit improvements for revenues and volumes at IAG Cargo in Q3

IAG Cargo enjoyed a bumper performance in the third quarter of the year with cargo revenues and volumes improving on…

Read More

Share this story

Air France KLM Cargo eyes Asia as performance improves in Q3

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo recorded improvements in cargo volumes, revenues and yield in the third quarter as it benefitted…

Read More

Share this story

Rebecca Jeffrey

Rebecca Jeffrey
New to aviation journalism, I joined Air Cargo News in late 2021 as deputy editor. I previously worked for Mercator Media’s six maritime sector magazines as a reporter, heading up news for Port Strategy. Prior to this, I was editor for Recruitment International (now TALiNT International). Contact me on: [email protected]