Air Partner has helped to deliver a precious cargo of 445 treasured Romanian artefacts to China for the ‘Treasures of Romania’ exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing.

The air charter firm says it was working on behalf of TNT Romania for the National Museum of Romanian History (MNIR).

The shipment was flown from Bucharest Otopeni Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on 12 January on a Boeing 777 Freighter, which was operated by Emirates.

Due to the nature of the cargo, all flight clearances had to be secured through diplomatic channels.

The exhibition will open in Beijing on the 28 January and run until the 8 May 2016, when it will move to the Sichuan Provincial Museum in Chengdu.

The artefacts, which date from prehistoric times to the late 18th century include ceramics, glassworks, mural paintings, manuscripts and textiles, are mainly from the MNIR – although about 30 other Romanian museums have also loaned items.

The show is the first of its type and size to be held in China for 66 years, and comes after the MNIR held the ‘Treasures of China’ exhibition in 2013.

Air Partner Europe regional freight director, Mike Hill says: “We were honoured to assist in transporting these treasured artefacts to China. The items are of huge cultural and historical importance and we were thrilled to play a role in bringing them to a wider audience.

“I don’t doubt that they will be missed back in Romania but we have already arranged their return later in the year. My thanks go to Emirates and all the Romanian diplomatic services involved, who all worked tirelessly to ensure that the shipment was delivered on time and in perfect condition.”

TNT Romania special services manager, Ciprian Popescu says: “Arranging this flight was a highlight of our longstanding relationship with Air Partner – even though it proved to be more logistically challenging than initially expected.

“During a time of the year when most people are busy decorating Christmas trees and preparing New Year’s Eve parties, the teams at TNT and Air Partner were working around the clock to make sure that this flight went seamlessly.

“As a Romanian, it is an honour to be part of this project and serve the country’s best interests. Special thanks go to our Foreign Affairs Ministry for all their support.”