Handling high-value vehicles in the air cargo chain
Sonia Sali
Transporting a vehicle by air involves much more than placing it on an aircraft. From luxury cars and supercars to EVs and important automotive parts, every shipment needs careful planning, specialised equipment and strict safety checks. In an interview with CargoTalk Middle East, Tom Sohorab, Premium Products, Business Development Manager, Etihad Cargo, explains how FlightValet uses customised handling, approved procedures and advanced loading methods to ensure safe vehicle transport.
What are the key steps in air transport of automotive components, and how does it differ from other cargo?
Transporting vehicles by air requires specialist expertise, particularly for finished vehicles, EVs, high-value components and rare supercars. Every shipment begins with a detailed assessment of vehicle specifications, documentation, regulatory requirements and loading plans to ensure safe, compliant transport. At the heart of Etihad Cargo's FlightValet service is a proprietary wheel-strapping methodology developed with automotive OEMs. Unlike conventional methods that apply tension through wheel rims, FlightValet secures vehicles around the tyres, significantly reducing the risk of cosmetic or structural damage during transit. Many vehicles moved through FlightValet feature unique engineering requirements, making manufacturer approved handling procedures and specialist SOPs essential. The service also offers upper- and lower-deck loading options, including direct loading onto aircraft pallets (ULDs) to minimise handling and reduce risk. Combined with Etihad Cargo's global passenger and freighter network
What approvals and documents are needed for automotive air shipments?
Automotive shipments, particularly high-value and performance vehicles, require careful preparation and specialist handling. Alongside standard import and export documentation, shipments may require certificates, carnets, insurance documentation and dangerous goods declarations. Many vehicles transported through FlightValet are rare supercars with unique engineering features, including gullwing or scissor doors, concealed battery isolation switches and manufacturer-specific operating procedures. Safe transport relies on detailed SOPs and technical guidance from manufacturers and automotive specialists. At Etihad Cargo, these shipments are handled only at approved stations by specially trained teams using dedicated equipment. Combined with strict handling protocols, this ensures high-value vehicles are safely managed throughout the airport, loading and transport process, minimising risk and maintaining the highest standards of care.
How do you work with manufacturers and logistics partners to ensure all regulatory and compliance requirements are met before shipment?
Etihad Cargo works closely with automotive manufacturers, freight forwarders, and specialist logistics partners to ensure all regulatory, customs, and safety requirements are met before shipment. Every movement is supported by comprehensive documentation, regulatory compliance checks, and vehicle-specific handling procedures, ensuring seamless, secure, and fully compliant transport across our global network.
How do packaging, handling, and monitoring ensure safe automotive shipments?
Specialised handling is essential for protecting high-value automotive shipments. While temperature monitoring may be required for components such as batteries and sensitive electronics, the priority for finished vehicles is preserving their physical condition. Many vehicles transported through FlightValet are rare or high-performance models with unique operating requirements. To support this, FlightValet combines manufacturer-approved SOPs, dedicated restraint equipment and proprietary wheel-strapping technology that secures vehicles by the tyres, reducing the risk of wheel damage. Together with experienced loadmasters and flexible upper- and lower-deck loading options, these measures ensure vehicles arrive in the same condition in which they were entrusted to us.
What automotive shipments are commonly moved by air — spare parts, engines, electronics, or high-value components?
Etihad Cargo transports a broad range of automotive shipments, including finished vehicles, supercars, electric vehicles, spare parts, engines, batteries, and other high-value components. Demand is driven by OEMs, dealerships, motorsport teams, collectors, and manufacturers requiring secure, time-critical transport for vehicles and parts across global markets.
What handling requirements apply to sensitive automotive components?
Sensitive automotive components each present unique handling requirements and must be managed accordingly. Precision electronics require secure packaging and protection from shock and vibration, while electric vehicle batteries and battery-powered components must comply with stringent international dangerous goods regulations. For finished vehicles, FlightValet applies dedicated restraint systems and manufacturer-informed handling procedures tailored to each vehicle. Many of the vehicles we transport are rare or high-performance supercars with unique engineering features, requiring specialist operating procedures and trained personnel to ensure they are safely manoeuvred, secured, and transported without compromising their condition.
What is the journey of a vehicle through FlightValet, from booking to final delivery?
Every FlightValet shipment begins with a detailed assessment of the vehicle, destination and any handling or regulatory requirements. Our specialists verify documentation and create a tailored loading plan to ensure the right equipment, procedures and aircraft configuration are in place. Vehicles are secured using dedicated Aeronet restraint equipment and, where possible, loaded directly onto upper deck ULDs to minimise handling and reduce risk. FlightValet's proprietary wheel-strapping technology, developed with automotive OEMs, secures vehicles by the tyres rather than the rims, helping prevent wheel damage. For rare and high-performance vehicles with manufacturer-specific requirements, experienced loadmasters follow detailed SOPs developed with automotive specialists to ensure safe handling throughout the journey. We never leave the car keys loose or hanging from the windshield. As standard, we have a chain of custody to ensure the keys are never lost by keeping them with an Etihad-entrusted employee at all times.
Which regions are generating the strongest demand for FlightValet services?
FlightValet has evolved into one of Etihad Cargo's specialist premium cargo solutions, serving a diverse range of automotive customers, from global manufacturers to luxury and collector car owners. We are seeing increasing interest from luxury car owners and vehicle collectors, particularly in the UK, Germany, and the Middle East, alongside manufacturers transporting finished vehicles and electric vehicles to global markets.
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