Chapman Freeborn, one of the world’s leading aircraft charter and aviation support companies, has arranged an urgent delivery of critical aircraft parts from Paris to Athens in under 24 hours. Despite the complexity of the task, the aircraft in question not only received the necessary parts on time but also departed ahead of schedule.
In May 2025, the team at Chapman Freeborn received an urgent task of delivering crucial parts from Paris Vatry Airport (XCR) to Athens International Airport (ATH), for a client experiencing an AOG (Aircraft On Ground) event. In cases like these, timing is of utmost importance, as every hour the plane is grounded can cost the airline tens of thousands of euros.
Taz Mears, Cargo Charter Broker at Chapman Freeborn, emphasizes that under such circumstances, reaction time and efficiency are what keep aircraft flying, production lines moving, and entire systems running smoothly.
“The task was incredibly time-critical. Our client has a very tight schedule and major contracts they need to honor under any circumstances. Needless to say, the necessary parts had to be in place as promptly as possible,” he says.
To accomplish the task, Chapman Freeborn’s Cargo Charter team utilized the iconic Antonov AN-26 turboprop aircraft, as its loading capabilities and the size of the cargo hold made it an ideal choice for the job.
The vital cargo touched down in Athens in less than 24 hours of the initial request, and despite having to wait for the approval of all permits, the client’s aircraft took off ahead of schedule. According to Mr. Mears, this impressive feat was possible only thanks to the deep expertise that Chapman Freeborn’s team had amassed in various similar situations.
“Our task was challenging and complex. In fact, we almost didn’t get the necessary permits in time for the planned flight. However, our persistence, along with that of our client, helped to overcome this hurdle. We have a great system in place and plenty of internal knowledge that allows us to plan way ahead and foresee the complications that may present themselves,” he says.
Despite all the challenges, the aircraft was swiftly returned to service, highlighting the importance of partnerships, deep expertise, and strategic planning.
“By working collaboratively with both our airport and airline partners, the team showcased agility, arranging an urgent AOG charter across Europe within 24 hours. Such a fast turnaround and accuracy is only possible with such a strong global network and exceptionally experienced colleagues. Because even with the more than 50 years of experience that our company has garnered, every case is unique,” says Mr. Mears.
