CEVA Logistics Engineers Rapid Multimodal Transport for Airbus Helicopters from Europe to Mongolia

CEVA Logistics successfully executed an emergency, end-to-end multimodal project logistics transport strategy to deliver two fully assembled Airbus helicopters from Western Europe to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Facing complex customs barriers, geographical constraints, and tight financial parameters, CEVA delivered the high-value aircraft within a strict 30-day window, safeguarding the client’s operational timeline.

Our customer’s business challenges

Airbus Helicopters required urgent transit for two, fully assembled aircraft models—an Airbus H145 and an H130—from manufacturing facilities in France and Germany to a customer delivery site in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Standard maritime shipping via the Port of Tianjin/Xingang followed by overland transport was ruled out, as transit times exceeded two months. While a full air charter offered speed, it far exceeded the project’s strict budget constraints. Furthermore, the total lack of direct commercial freighter connections into Mongolia created a severe bottleneck, requiring an innovative routing strategy that could handle oversized, high-value aerospace cargo.

The Solution

To reconcile the tight 30-day timeline with budget limitations, the CEVA Logistics China Aerospace team designed an agile multimodal air-ground road bridge via Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK).

The operation commenced with scheduled airfreight positioning from Europe through Luxembourg Hub to Beijing. Upon arrival, CEVA’s specialized ground team managed complex customs transit clearance under tight airport dwell times. The cargo was then transferred onto specialized trucks for a multi-day cross-border trucking leg from Beijing to the Erlian border crossing at the China–Mongolia frontier.

To mitigate handling risks for the sensitive airframes, CEVA pre-arranged transit customs procedures in both jurisdictions and executed a seamless trailer-swap at the Erlian border, avoiding any physical offloading or re-hoisting of the helicopters. The final leg was completed via continuous road transport straight to the client’s facility in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Tangible Results

The entire operation was completed with 100% safety compliance and zero cargo damage, arriving well within the 30-day target window. By avoiding both the slow ocean route and the prohibitive expense of a full air charter, CEVA delivered a cost-effective, reliable transport solution. Continuous on-site supervision, real-time route escorts, and close pre-coordination between CEVA, Beijing customs authorities and local Mongolian logistics partners cemented the operation as a showcase of aerospace supply chain precision.