From Delhi, India to Bangkok, Thailand - March, 2001

Note: Subsequent travellers report that Aeroflot no longer flies this route.

On the 2/3/01 we airfreighted our BMW motorcycle with Aeroflot. The following is a list of procedures, costs and contacts for those who wish to use this service.

Initial contact was made with the travel agent mid December, 2000 and our seats on the flight were booked, confirmed and paid for.

We arrived five days before the departure date to confirm the price and deliver the bike to the Airline Company. Rajeev Bhatia negotiated with the Airline for the best possible rate while we were in his Office. We delivered the bike on the 27/2/01 (4 days prior to dep.) to the the Cargo shed at Delhi Int. Airport. The Bill of Lading was completed by a Mr Khan from Turkmanistan Airlines who are agents for Aeroflot. Turk. Airlines can be found on the first floor, office No. 15 of the Import Blg opposite Gate2.

The costs are as follows.

Bike weight... 235kg @ 32 Rs per Kg= 7520
Fuel Surcharge..235kg @ 2.35Rs per Kg = 552
Documentation Fee............ =300
TOTAL = 8372 Rs

The bike was delivered to the Cargo shed No. 5 in the Export Section, opposite Gate No. 3. Here the bike was weighed, defueled and the battery terminals disconected and taped. To expedite the documentation at this point a "helper" was used and the processing of the Carnet with Customs and paying the Terminal charges. Other fees also appeared as listed.

Terminal Fees...285 Rs (we paid 300Rs and received no change??)
Packing Fees (1)...150 Rs (paid to the Head Man)
Packing Fees(2)... 20 Rs (paid to the actual packers)
The Helper's Fees...100 Rs ( plus the fuel drained from our tank and he also scarpered with our new pen)

The bike was wrapped in hession and stitched up. We were advised that the bike would be placed in an Airline container but this was not the case as our steed was sighted being loaded onto the plane securely strapped down onto an aluminium plate normally used for this type of non crated motorcycles. The "Helper" was not happy with our gift of 100Rs for his assistance but we were advised back at Turk. Airlines that this was ample payment for his services.

Having no transport back to Connaught Place New Delhi we were advised of the local bus (No. 780) system and we considered that at 8 Rs p.p. picked up outside the Cargo Terminal and delivered to the Super Bazaar was an absolute bargain. No bargainings with Tuk Tuk drivers here.

In addition to this we stayed at the Gandhi Guest House, off Connaught Lane,(near Ringo's Guest House see Lonely Planet) Connaught Place. There was off street parking for the bike and only 5 minutes walk to Aqua Travels and even less to the Ex -Servicemen's Airlink Transport Service which provides an excellant bus ride to the airport for 50 Rs p.p .

For those intending to travel this way we can recommend our experiences. Aqua Travels will also organize freighting at the best possible rates to anywhere in the world. The reason why we received such a low price was that we were charged per kg and not volumetric weight. This generally makes for a considerable saving and we were fortunate in not having to dismantle the bike. Good luck. Ken & Carol Duval.