In a unique move for Pakistan’s cargo industry, a retired Boeing 737 was loaded onto a custom-designed trailer on Thursday to be transported by road from Karachi to Hyderabad.
According to officials, this project began in July 2024 when the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) invited bids from cargo companies to transport the plane, which once belonged to a defunct private airline. The CAA stated that the plane is being moved to the Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) in Hyderabad, where it will be used for training purposes.
The cargo company dismantled the plane’s wings and loaded the main body onto the trailer, with the wings transported separately. The convoy made a brief stop near Nooriabad, about 60 kilometres from Karachi, and will continue its journey to Hyderabad on Friday morning.
The plane, which could seat 200 passengers, first flew in 1991 and was retired in 2014 after 23 years of service across Europe and the Middle East.
Motorway Police and National Highway Authority (NHA) officials explained that after winning the bid, the cargo company sought permission from the NHA to transport this “abnormal load.” The Motorway Police set safety guidelines, including having escort vehicles at both ends of the trailer and restricting movement in the evening.
The CAA praised the Pakistan Airports Authority’s logistics team for coordinating the move and added that a deputy director is overseeing the operation with the convoy.
