Air Partner sprints ahead with Rio Express freighter for the Olympics

Air Partner is launching a ‘Rio Express’ MD-11 freighter service that will operate before and after the Olympic Games this summer.
The global aviation services group will have "exclusive freight availability" on a weekly Sunday flight from Frankfurt to Rio de Janeiro, starting on July 10 and ending on July 24. The outbound flights will depart from Frankfurt and arrive at Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International.
Air Partner said that Rio Express is "one of only a few freight operators that have secured cargo slots at Galeão; all other freighters have to fly into Viracopos International Airport, which is about three hours further away from the Olympic venues by truck".
The return flights will operate on August 25, 26 and 27. The service is offered to clients worldwide and can be booked through any Air Partner office.
UK-based Air Partner said that cargo will be transported in containers to enable faster handling on arrival so the shipments can be offloaded and driven to the Olympic venues as quickly as possible. The flights will also arrive first thing on Monday morning (00.05), "which will make them a priority for customs, further facilitating a speedy and efficient onward journey".
Mike Hill, director of freight at Air Partner, said: “This is the second time that we have operated this type of service — following on from the success of the Sochi Express at the 2014 Winter Olympics — and we expect it to be just as popular with clients this time around.
"We know that not all our freight forwarder clients will have enough cargo to warrant a full charter, and this service will enable them to transport smaller amounts in a cost-effective way. Given the location of the airport, the early arrival time and use of containers, we don’t believe there will be a quicker way of getting cargo to the Olympic venues this summer.”