In the world of logistics, speed is everything. But in aerospace logistics, where a grounded aircraft can bleed thousands of dollars every hour, speed alone isn’t enough. It must be paired with precision, compliance, and the courage to act when others pause.

At Delman Shipping, they don’t just manage time-critical cargo; they execute it with confidence, even under extreme pressure. Recently, their AOG desk, customs division, and global partner network were put to the test on three back-to-back missions, each one urgent, unique, and unforgiving.

When the Clock Strikes Emergency

Dubai → Las Vegas | Aircraft Landing Gear | 1,850 kg Total

It was well past business hours in Dubai when an AOG alert reached their team. An aircraft was grounded in Las Vegas, and the landing gear had to be left in Dubai immediately. Two units: one weighing 1,570 kg and the other 280 kg. No aircraft could move without them.

Without hesitation, their operations, documentation, and packing units mobilised. Working deep into the night, the gears were professionally packed following airworthy and IATA DG standards at their UAE General Civil Aviation licensed in-house facility. Simultaneously, their customs clearance team processed the Bill of Entry and secured urgent approvals — all while the city slept.

Before dawn, the shipment was airborne.

From tarmac to take-off, and finally to the U.S., their partner ensured flawless last-mile execution. In less than a day, a grounded aircraft was made flight-ready — not by chance, but by preparedness.

The Weight of Precision

Europe → Dubai | Aircraft Engine | 7,470 kg | 550 x 260 x 300 cm

Not all logistical hurdles occur in the air. Some begin the moment cargo hits the ground.

When a 7.4-ton aircraft engine arrived from Switzerland, its sheer size posed a challenge. Due to city-wide restrictions on oversized cargo movement during daylight hours in Dubai, immediate delivery seemed impossible.

But delays weren’t an option — the engine was needed for urgent reassembly.

Their team quickly secured night transport permits, deployed a heavy-haulage route plan, and coordinated traffic police escort where required. With GPS tracking and live driver communication, they monitored the engine’s journey in real time until safe arrival at the consignee’s facility.

Every compliance box was ticked. Every deadline was met. No deviation.

Small Box, Big Stakes

China → Cyprus | Aircraft Toolkit | 48 lbs (21 kg) | Onboard Courier (OBC)

Sometimes, it’s not the size of the shipment — it’s the cost of delay.

A long-standing airline client reached out with a critical request: a maintenance toolkit stranded in China needed to reach Cyprus — fast. It wasn’t a pallet, just four small boxes totalling 48 lbs. But no airline could confirm cargo space in time.

So, they rewrote the playbook.

Through their local partner, they arranged an onboard courier (OBC). A trained escort collected the shipment, boarded the next available passenger flight, and never let it out of sight. No transit delays. No warehouse congestion. No handovers.

The toolkit arrived in Cyprus with a handshake, and the aircraft’s scheduled maintenance continued without losing a single man-hour.

Challenges That Test Grit

Each project came with its own set of operational complexities.

The Las Vegas shipment had to overcome time zone mismatches, DG compliance, and post-hours customs clearance — all compressed into a few hours of overnight hustle.

The Switzerland engine movement was an orchestration of permits, off-hour clearances, and oversized cargo manoeuvring through Dubai’s urban grid under time constraints.

The China-to-Cyprus delivery tested their creativity, requiring them to sidestep the conventional freight model entirely to meet the deadline.

These weren’t routine shipments. They were stress tests — and they passed them not just with effort, but with expertise.

 

Building a System That Moves with the Moment

None of this happens in silos. Delman’s AOG and time-critical cargo success is rooted in a unified system: • A DG-certified warehouse designed to handle sensitive cargo on demand • An in-house packing team trained in airworthy standards and IATA regulations • A customs clearance unit that operates with speed and accuracy, even outside standard working hours • A global partner network, including members who activate local support instantly

Together, this ecosystem allows them to respond, adapt, and execute before their competitors even start quoting.

 

Cross-Trade, Cross-Time Zones, One Vision

Their strength in time-critical logistics is mirrored in their growing cross-trade vertical, driven by their Managing Director, Mr. Ug Thottappilly Menon. His recent outreach across the U.S., Europe, and Asia has forged new partnerships and built lanes that didn’t exist before.

 

 

“In today’s supply chain world, the decision-makers are in Dubai, even when the cargo isn’t,” says Mr. Ug Thottappilly Menon. “Their focus is not just on where the shipment is, but where the next opportunity lies.”

This global approach allows Delman to offer clients cross-trade solutions without compromise — from sourcing to delivery, with full visibility and control.

 

 

 

The Delman Difference

At Delman, they don’t rely on luck, subcontractors, or second attempts. They’ve built a full-service engine room with the resources, authority, and mindset to act fast and execute flawlessly.

They’re not just freight forwarders. They’re freight responders — trained to handle the clock, the cargo, and the consequences.

So, the next time urgency knocks, remember: Delman doesn’t just move cargo.

They move with heart, hustle, and high standards.