Flying a film crew and their equipment to Mexico
A production coordinator in LA asked us to help fly a film crew and their equipment to Mexico and back in May 2023. With several logistical challenges to overcome and the client also making enquiries with one of our competitors, we needed to come up with a viable and cost-effective solution fast in order to win the charter.
Our Solution
Route: Los Angeles > La Paz > Los Angeles
Aircraft: Embraer ERJ145
Due to geopolitical reasons, it can be difficult to find US airlines that will operate charter flights to Mexico. Additionally, the number of passengers changed while we were working to find a solution.
Our competitor had quoted for a private jet, but we knew the limited baggage allowance could leave the customer unable to load all of their cargo at the airport.
Instead, we sourced three aircraft that were better suited to the client’s needs: a heavy jet, a larger Embraer ERJ145, and a narrow-bodied Boeing 737-800.
In light of the valuable cargo, we also suggested avoiding LA’s busy international airport and departing from the exclusive private terminal at Van Nuys.
Impressed with our speed and expertise, the customer chose us to arrange the charter, opting for the better-value ERJ145 over the B737-800.
We quickly finalised the arrangements and secured insurance approvals from Mexican officials, ensuring the flight could go ahead.
The Finer Details
Global Network: With the help of our new Mexico City office, our team in LA was able to find a Mexican-owned Embraer that could fly the route.
Flight Representation: One our team was on-hand to ensure everything ran smoothly at the airport, giving the client added peace of mind by arranging for some of the more valuable equipment to be loaded in the cabin.
Personal Service: We stayed in close contact with the customer as they started filming in Mexico, making sure they had all the necessary information for the return flight.
Unrivalled Flexibility: When bad weather halted filming a few days early, we leveraged our close relationship with the operator to bring forward the return flight by two days.