December 28 - Virgin Atlantic Cargo has transported a seven metre Christmas tree and 15 smaller consignments for Hapag Lloyd Cruises, owner of the cruise ship MS Europa.

The tree, grown and felled in Austria, was transported to London Heathrow International airport by truck and a team of eight cargo handlers loaded the tree on to a Virgin Atlantic A340-300 flight destined for Cape Town, South Africa.

Tefra Travel Logistics organised the time-sensitive shipment and managing director Carsten Leder commented: "The MS Europa was officially voted the 'Best Cruise Vessel in the World' for the 13th consecutive year and therefore the pressure was on to deliver the trees onto the vessel during its port call in Cape Town."

Tefra Travel Logistics called on UK-based forwarder Southampton Freight Services to aid with the delivery of the festive project.

Nick Jones, head of sales at Virgin Atlantic Cargo, said: "It may sound like a long journey for a Christmas tree but MS Europa clearly wanted to give their passengers the ultimate customer experience."

www.xbag.de/en/

http://cargo.virgin-atlantic.com

www.sotonfreight.co.uk/