Key facts
Situation:
On June 29, 2024, Hurricane Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, rapidly strengthened to a Category 5 storm. It surprised meteorologists not only with how unusually early it originated but also with its rapid intensification. It took 42 hours to go from a tropical depression to a major hurricane.
Beryl made landfall in the Caribbean as a Category 4 storm, leaving a trail of devastation and impacting multiple islands, including Grenada, Jamaica, and the Cayman Islands. Its path of destruction continued toward Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Cargo:
50,000 lbs. (22,727 kg) payload and 43 pallets with relief suppliers, including family emergency kits, generators, and tarps.
Flight:
Cargo charter flight from Miami (MIA) to Montego Bay (MBJ) using an A321F aircraft.
Solution:
In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, Air Partner worked alongside our client to provide emergency response cargo charter flights to transport relief supplies for Jamaica’s storm aftermath. Beryl is now considered one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the island. Travelling along the southern coast earlier this week brought more than 12 hours of heavy rain.
The urgent relief flight occurred on an A321F from Miami (MIA) to Montego Bay (MBJ). Its payload was 50,000 lbs. (22,727 kgs), and 43 pallets contained relief supplies, including family emergency kits, generators, and tarps.
The A321F is an ideal choice of aircraft because it provides financial operating efficiency and occupies a unique market segment between the smaller B737s and the larger B767s. This relatively new passenger-converted freighter is specifically designed for the North American market.
The flight was authorised on July 5th, just a few days after the storm landed on the island. The team organised the earliest flight possible, departing at 10:00 a.m. the following day, Saturday, July 6th. However, because the client still had to purchase several items and would not be able to deliver them by the given time, the team was able to easily accommodate and reschedule the flight to a 5 p.m. departure. The flight successfully took off within 27 hours of confirmation, providing an "incredible, almost divine miracle experience," as stated by our client.
Expertise from Air Partner
In a humanitarian aid situation, timing is crucial; every minute counts. Accuracy, attention to detail, clear communication, and swift responses are essential. By choosing Air Partner, you are selecting a specialist with expertise in the field—a company dedicated to prioritising your needs and a team committed to standing by you from start to finish.
Our Cargo team has extensive experience delivering critical aid and relief freight through our cargo charter services. And our global network and round-the-clock support team ensure we can provide dependable and timely service to meet your urgent deadlines.
To learn more about Air Partner Cargo services, contact our team today.