Manston Helps Put Cirque Du Soleil Show On The Road
Manston, Kent’s international airport, has played its part in bringing world-renowned Cirque du Soleil to the UK for its latest national tour, and at the same time welcomed one of the world’s largest airlines.
In a first for the Ramsgate airport a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 freighter touched down on a special charter flight from San Francisco with 82 tonnes of staging and equipment.
Once unloaded the consignment headed for the Royal Albert Hall, which will be the UK home for Cirq
ue du Soleil’s latest show, involving its trademark aerial high bar, contortion, fire-knife dance, hand balancing and synchronised trapeze acts.
The Singapore Airline’s 747 was joined by a Cargolux 747 which also flew in from San Francisco carrying a further 69 tonnes of Cirque du Soleil equipment.
Charles Buchanan, Chief Executive of Manston, said: “The arrival of this major cargo consignment for such an important and world famous customer will not have gone unnoticed by other music and major event organisers and the freight industry as a whole.”
Allan McQuarrie, Manston’s Group Manager for Freight Development, added: “Welcoming such a global player as Singapore Airlines to Manston for the first time bodes well for future freight traffic. Increasingly airlines, and their freight customers, are looking for airports that are able to quickly and efficiently handle complex consignments.
“The two charters show that large worldwide airlines have confidence in Manston’s freight capabilities.”
After unloading the staging and equipment, 72 tonnes of general cargo was loaded on to the jumbo jet for export to Singapore.
The charters were arranged by Rock-it Cargo, an international freight forwarding company specialising in major entertainment and live events, especially freight moves that are time sensitive, fragile and complicated. As well as Cirque du Soleil, Rock-it Cargo’s customers include Madonna, The Police and The PGA Golf Tour.
ENDS
Photograph: The Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 on the tarmac at Manston.
For further information contact:
• Andrew Metcalf, Maxim
• T: 01892 513033 E: Andrew@maxim-pr.co.uk