Chapman Freeborn Moves Thrust Reverser From California to London in Six Days via Part-Charter and Road Transport
Why It MattersUrgent AOG logistics is increasingly a routing-and-capacity puzzle rather than a charter-or-nothing choice, with handling limits and freighter availability shaping which option actually works.
Chapman Freeborn says the fastest way to deliver a time-critical aircraft part is not always a dedicated charter. In a case it described, a European airline needed a replacement thrust reverser moved from California to London within six days after a fault was found during scheduled maintenance. The component required main-deck capacity on a Boeing 777 or Boeing 747 freighter, but limited fourth-quarter availability and a lack of suitable handling equipment at the destination airport made a direct charter impractical. Chapman Freeborn instead sourced and coordinated part-charter capacity on a scheduled freighter service, with road transport covering the remainder of the journey.
Ben Cupidi, Aerospace Manager – Europe at Chapman Freeborn, said an urgent shipment does not automatically require chartering an entire aircraft, and that looking only for the most direct flight can narrow the options. Cargo dimensions are usually the first filter, he said, but destination, deadline, available capacity and onward transport can change which solution is fastest.
The options include Next Flight Out (NFO), on-board courier (OBC), part-charter, which guarantees space on an existing freighter service, and a dedicated aircraft. OBC and NFO services suit smaller urgent parts but depend on cargo size, weight and capacity, while larger shipments may need dedicated freighter capacity. Aircraft positioning, airport handling restrictions and onward ground transport can also affect delivery times, so an indirect route may be faster than a dedicated charter.
Chapman Freeborn Europe launched a dedicated aerospace vertical in June 2026, combining full charter, part-charter, NFO and OBC capabilities with a 24/7/365 AOG desk.
