Rhenus Logistics and carrier Avianca Cargo have transported crated civil helicopters from Miami International Airport to Vitória–Eurico de Aguiar Salles International Airport, the first time that a shipment of this kind has landed in the Brazilian gateway. Over 35 similar shipments are expected to be completed by end of the year for a manufacturer using an Airbus A330F aircraft, with further phases continuing beyond 2026.
Flying the choppers eliminates the need for customs clearance on road movements.
The door-to-door solution includes inland transport from California to Florida, handling and compliance at the Rhenus Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) in Miami, air freight by Airbus A330F from Miami to Vitória and customs clearance and delivery in São Paulo.
Rhenus Logistics regional head, Christian Luque, said: “Historically, helicopter shipments into Brazil would land at Viracopos, requiring complex bonded trucking to Vitória for customs clearance, then returning to São Paulo for final delivery. This was time-consuming and operationally inefficient. By flying directly into VIX, we’ve eliminated multiple legs and created a faster, leaner, and more cost-effective solution. This operation sets a new benchmark for the airspace high-value cargo in Brazil and the ability to streamline delivery directly through Vitória represents a major step forward in efficiency and service excellence.”
São Paulo is home to one of the largest helicopter fleets in the world, increasingly used for crop monitoring and operations in Brazil, one of the leading global producers and exporters of coffee, sugar and soybeans.
