Ameerh Naran exemplifies a truly international lifestyle. Born in Zimbabwe to an Indian family of shoemakers, he first made waves as Harare’s pioneering importer of sex toys. His entrepreneurial journey led him to private aviation, where his planes served celebrities, politicians, and even featured on “Keeping Up With The Kardashians.” Today, Naran splits his time between Dubai and London, juggling the logistics of driving his extensive car collection.
“I have a rare Porsche Carrera GT that cost me £1.5m ($1.9m), and I keep it at the airport in Dubai,” Naran shares. His company, Vimana Private Jets, operates offices in Los Angeles and New York as well. “Whenever I travel, Emirates ensures my car arrives on the earliest flight to wherever I’m going.”
Naran, 38, is among thousands of affluent car owners who frequently book flights for their prized vehicles. Specialist freight services, particularly popular with major airlines in the Middle East, cater to these needs. This ecosystem of car transport experts collaborates with airlines and the family offices of the ultra-rich to ensure their favorite vehicles seamlessly follow them around the globe.
As Gulf state residents prepare to escape to cooler climates post-Ramadan, car transport services see a surge in demand. On a recent trip from Dubai to London, Naran’s Porsche shipment cost £28,000 ($36,000), roughly the price of a new Volkswagen Golf in West London. But for car enthusiasts, a hatchback simply won’t do.
“I have clients who are even wealthier and less concerned about costs than I am,” Naran explains. “They prefer not to use commercial airlines and instead charter cargo planes, which can cost millions.” The ultra-wealthy often transport entire fleets, including cars, motorbikes, and other toys, on chartered cargo aircraft that follow their private jets. Covered trucks handle the final leg of these journeys to avoid adding mileage to these treasured vehicles.
Naran’s wealthiest clients barely blink at such expenses. One client recently chartered a cargo plane when his new Samsung TV didn’t fit in his jet. Rare cars, sometimes worth millions, aren’t the only items flown around. “One client flies a Nissan Patrol 4×4 alongside his Bugatti,” Naran laughs. “It’s not worth much, but he loves it.”
Dan Hallworth began shipping cars 15 years ago, learning the trade at his uncle’s freight firm in Manchester. Initially, his business centered on summer shipments from the Middle East to London. Wealthy car owners, particularly Qatari princes, used to fill London’s streets with hypercars. However, as police cracked down on showy driving and viral crime videos discouraged visits, his clientele shifted their travel habits.
Hallworth’s company, Dan Car Logistics, now ships over 100 vehicles annually by air and thousands more by road. His clients, still primarily from the Middle East, include royal families. Recent jobs included transporting a massive Mercedes to Los Angeles for £20,000 ($25,000) and a £12m ($15.3m) bespoke Bugatti Chiron Hermes edition to Marbella, Spain, for a Qatari prince. Increasingly, the flow of vehicles is from London to Dubai, reflecting a change in travel patterns.
Etihad Cargo has noted similar trends. Their FlightValet service saw over half of its 2023 shipments originate from Heathrow, destined mostly for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Etihad only works with registered freight agents due to the extensive customs paperwork required for cars, classified as “dangerous goods.”
Hallworth, 33, ensures all his shipments are covered by an annual insurance policy included in his fees. Occasionally, he turns down business if something feels off. “We always verify the owner’s ID and car registration documents,” he says. “The last thing you want is a stolen car on a plane and a lot of questions to answer.”
Much like Naran, who is now developing his own hypercar, Hallworth’s business thrives on word-of-mouth among the elite. This sometimes brings unusual requests. “I’ve been asked to transport horses and camels,” he says. “That’s not really my area, and I won’t take a job unless I’m sure the cargo will arrive alive.”
In this world of extreme wealth, the logistics of transporting luxury cars is a fascinating dance of efficiency, precision, and a touch of extravagance.
