Travelling with your beloved car: Air freight transport for classic cars

If you were to slice the aircraft you board into a cross section, the upper half would be the cabin. The lower half is entirely cargo space, where passengers' checked baggage and various other cargo are loaded.

Fujino: "The typical cargo that we at JAL Cargo transport by air is what we call home delivery cargo. We transport a lot of vegetables, fruits, and fresh fish, as well as medical specimens and electronic parts. However, transporting completed cars is quite rare."

Special processes for transporting special vehicles

The air transport of vehicles participating in the "JAL Classic Japan Rally 2019 HIRADO", which JAL sponsors, began in 2018, and last year was the second time. A special process is required to transport special vehicles.

Miyamae: "We must never let a situation occur where a customer's car cannot be loaded onto the aircraft on the day of the race and cannot participate in the race. Therefore, we first had detailed discussions with the customer in advance and thoroughly checked the car in advance."

Fujino: "For air transport of commercially available vehicles that meet the regulations, we use a special platform called the 'J SOLUTIONS WHEEL', which is designed to fit the vehicle onto an airplane. The vehicle can be loaded smoothly, and all that is required is to secure the torsion beam, lower arm, and wheels, which are the framework of the body, to the platform. However, the transport of classic cars, which are delicate and specially made, requires a case-by-case approach."

Ikai: "There are strap-like securing devices called tie-down belts that are used to prevent cargo from moving around inside the aircraft. In order to prevent damage to your precious car, we carefully discuss which parts of your car we will secure to it, and then secure your car to the equipment (pallets) that will be loaded onto the aircraft."

Weight balance must also be considered. To ensure that the weight balance of an airplane flying in the sky is correct from front to back and side to side, the weight of each piece of cargo must be determined in advance and then arranged like a puzzle.

Miyamae: "We handed the weight of the pallet over to the load control center early on so that we could balance the weight of the aircraft and load it in a safe location."

Delicate and careful work carried out at the customer's site

Although it is possible to simulate the flight in advance, rehearsals are not possible. We will make thorough preparations, and on the day of the flight, the customer will drive the flight directly to the cargo terminal. The aircraft used this time is a Boeing 777-200. It has the capacity to carry a small sedan.

For cargo pallets, customers will drive the vehicle up a specially installed ramp.

Ikai: "Loading the aircraft into the cargo bay requires even more care. The cargo bay is small, and space is at a premium. We paid close attention to the space on all sides, to ensure that the aircraft would not come into contact with the interior walls due to shaking or tilting."

While carefulness is required, speed is also necessary to ensure on-time operation. Once the loading is complete, the customer heads to the passenger terminal. They will then travel to Fukuoka Airport on the same flight as their beloved car.

Miyamae: "When the vehicle was being unloaded, the cargo door opened and the classic car came out. When the passengers who were about to disembark saw it, it caused a stir on the plane (laughs)."

Air transport of vehicles is actually available to anyone

All of the classic cars we received were safely airlifted to the site, and after the four-day rally was completed, they were returned to Haneda Airport by air. Air transporting classic cars is a special job, but in fact, air transporting vehicles is a service that anyone can use upon request, as long as the conditions are met.

Miyamae: "We prepare each and every vehicle for air transport on a fully custom-made basis. For example, if you have a request similar to this one, we can accommodate that request. You can bring your car to the cargo terminal next to Haneda Airport, leave it there, and it will be flown on the same flight."

Fujino: "We've actually had cases where people have put their beloved sidecars on flights to New Chitose Airport and enjoyed touring around Hokkaido. If they were to take a ferry it would take days, but if they're air freighted it can arrive quickly and they can start enjoying touring right away."

850 yen for up to 2kg, same-day delivery anywhere in the country

Miyamae: "Many customers may not know this, but air cargo is very convenient. If you come to the cargo counter at your departure or arrival airport, we will handle your cargo at airports across the country. This is a service that can be easily used not only between companies, but also between companies and individuals, and between individual customers."

Fujino: "Our strength is our network of approximately 800 domestic flights per day. We can send up to 2kg of cargo between any airport in the country for a flat rate of 850 yen (tax included). For example, it costs 850 yen to send cargo from New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido to Naha Airport in Okinawa. Compared to other logistics infrastructure, the advantage of air transport is first and foremost its speed. Having airports in service nearby allows us to transport a variety of cargo quickly. In other words, we believe that we can help build a smooth logistics network within the country. We also believe that the JAL Cargo network can be utilized from the perspective of regional revitalization."

Transporting disaster relief supplies at the fastest speed. Social responsibility as a logistics infrastructure

In fact, air cargo can be said to be a solution that can be applied in a variety of situations, not just in regular logistics.

Fujino: "We also consider it our social responsibility to take advantage of our speed to support lifelines."

Miyamae: "There have been many natural disasters in recent years, but among the logistics networks of land, sea and air, air transport is the one that can recover the fastest. Our mission is to deliver packages quickly and safely, and I believe that our work meets the expectations of society."

Ikai: "Whenever a major disaster occurs, we do our best to deliver relief supplies as quickly as possible. We feel proud to be able to help someone and contribute to society."

Air transport accounts for less than 1% of Japan's logistics infrastructure by weight. However, its role is much larger than 1%. JAL's role is not just to provide customers with a comfortable air journey. It is also a "strong man in the sky" that handles daily logistics, sometimes transporting special items such as classic cars and emergency relief supplies, and supports people's lives behind the scenes.

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