Since the start of the year, IAG Cargo has transported over 8,000 tonnes of automotive spare parts, with a signification proportion of shipments delivered via charter flights.

The British carrier has chartered nearly 100 flights to support the automotive industry in 2021, working on behalf of customers seeking speed for just-in-time supply chains.

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“We’ve seen an increase of requests to charter our aircraft to transport automotive parts across the world,” said Freddie Overton, regional commercial manager for Europe & Africa at IAG Cargo, citing citing the ramp-up in production of assembly plants as an indicator.

“The use of airfreight in the automotive industry continues to grow and given the need to operate on a just-in-time basis, only air cargo can transport time-critical spare parts to its destination in hours rather than weeks,” he added.

The carrier noted that the popular routes were Germany to South Africa, Mexico to the UK, and Southeast Asia to the US, with majority of the charters operated on B777s and B787 Dreamliners.

Consignments include engines, pistons, doors and tyre rubber.