Rhenus and Avianca Cargo deliver historic helicopter transport from the USA to Brazil
- Rhenus Logistics and Avianca Cargo have completed a historic feat, transporting civilian helicopters from the United States to Brazil directly to Vitoria (VIX) – the first operation of its kind at the airport.
- More than 35 shipments are expected to arrive by the end of the year, supporting one of the world’s leading helicopter manufacturers.
- The door-to-door process includes domestic transportation in the US, handling in Rhenus’ Miami free trade zone, direct A330F flights, and last-mile delivery in São Paulo – reducing transit time, costs and logistical steps.
Rhenus Logistics and Avianca Cargo have successfully transported civilian helicopters from Miami International Airport (MIA), USA to Vitoria-Eurico de Aguiar Sales International Airport (VIX), Brazil. This is the first time in history that a helicopter shipment of this type has landed in Vitoria, Brazil. More than 35 helicopter deliveries are expected to be completed by the end of the year for one of the world’s leading civil helicopter manufacturers with the Airbus A330F, with additional phases continuing beyond 2026.
Rhenus and Avianca Cargo become the first two logistics companies to implement this type of operation at the airport, offering a complete and exclusive solution by eliminating the need for customs ground transportation and reducing logistical steps, transit times and costs. The entire shipping process is managed by Rhenus and Avianca Cargo teams in the USA and Brazil, covering international air freight, domestic transportation and customs operations.
The door to door solution includes:
- Domestic transportation from California to Florida
- Handling and compliance at Rhinos’ 160,000 square foot facility in Miami’s Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
- Direct Airfreight via Airbus A330F from Miami (MIA) to Vitoria (VIX)
- Customs clearance and delivery to the final mile in São Paulo, in coordination with the customer’s trading company
“Historically, helicopter shipments to Brazil would land at Viracopos (VCP), requiring complex trucking to Vitoria for customs clearance, then back to São Paulo for final delivery. This was time-consuming and operationally inefficient,” said Christian Lok, Regional Head of Technology and Commercial Key Accounts for the Americas at Rhenus Logistics. “By flying directly to VIX, we have eliminated many routes and created a faster, smaller and more cost-effective solution. This operation sets a new standard for high-value cargo in Brazilian airspace and the ability to streamline delivery directly via Vitória represents a major step forward in efficiency and service excellence.”
As São Paulo is home to one of the largest helicopter fleets in the world, Rhinos plays a strategic role in supporting Brazil’s growing agribusiness sector, where helicopters are increasingly being used for crop monitoring and operations. Brazil is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of coffee, sugar and soybeans, and Brazilian agribusiness exports will reach US$164.4 billion in 2024, representing nearly half of the country’s total exports.
“This operation showcases the experience and capacity we have built to handle specialized, high-volume shipments, efficiently connecting the U.S. and Latin America with logistics solutions that open up new opportunities for our customers and the region. We will continue to strengthen our presence in Brazil and offer innovative alternatives that drive competitiveness and economic development.” confirmed Diogo Elias, CEO of Avianca Cargo.
“We are pleased to support this operation to ensure the safe, efficient and timely delivery of the helicopters,” said Jack Negankin, President of North American Air Cargo for Rhenus Logistics. “Our experience in managing complex air freight operations through our Miami Gateway service allows us to meet the growing demand for fast and reliable transportation to LATAM, especially in industries such as agribusiness that are vital to Brazil’s economy. Being part of this important milestone for VIX also highlights our ability to navigate complex logistics scenarios and create new opportunities for air freight in the region.”
