From Panama City, Panama to Quito, Ecuador - May, 2005

Just to let u folks know the latest dramatic price increase of Air freight:
From Panama City, Panama
To Quito, Ecuador
Traveller Martin and Katja Wickert
Date Mai 2005
Cost (US $) 675 US Dollar for 1 bike
Shipped by Air
Shipper Company name: Girag Air
Shipper Web Page: www.giragcargo.com
Shipper Contact person name: Carmenza Clavijo Galvis
Shipper Contact person email : carm...@giragcargo.com
Shipper Girag Cargo
Shipment Web Page
Recommended Yes
Rating 3 (Average)
Details

Girag Air had the same price as Panavia. The prices increased dramatically and all airlines seem to have the same price. Girag seemed more reliable, we just felt better with them, but later we heard that Panavia has an office in Quito and GIrag just a partner office. I do not know if that matters, Ricardo Rocco prevers Panavia though.

Flight came thru Bogota. Unf. the flight was delayed due to problems on a plane but securely stored in Bogota. The only prep we had to do was roll the bikes into the warehouse. They asked how much gas we had in the tank and we said about a gallon and they said no problem. They asked that we just leave them on the floor and they would take care of the crating but we wanted to strap them down ourselves. In the end that didnt work out and they did it. No damage found to the bike after we received them.

On arrival in Quito they were no longer on the pallet. No damage no scratches. Getting them out of Customs in Quito would have been a major hassle without the broker so we used the agent lady recommended by Ricardo Rocco. She charges 50 Dollar per Bike and it takes her 2 hours instaed of the 2 days you need to do it yourself.

Additional costs in Quito: 28 Dollars for the paperwork of the aircompany (they charge fopr handing u the papers back) and about 25 Dollars depending on the weight of your bike (we had 300 kg) for bringing the bike from the airfield to the Aduana.

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Contact: Panavia Cargo. Tel. 238-4326, cell from Carmenza: 612-5832 They are at the cargo terminal which is from the passenger terminal following the fence around the airport. Easy to find.

Cost: 2 times $675 for 2 fully loaded Africa Twins (boxes and all luggage was still on the bike. $28 in Quito for Paperwork, $50 each for the broker and $28 for handling at Customs.

But: It was all relaxed and very easy. It is for the lazy and rich folks...;-)

Martin and Katja