subject: Helicopter Courier Service: What Is It? [print this page] There are a number of different vehicles that are typically used in the execution of courier service. Normally when discussing the fleet of delivery services, we are referring to the wide variety of land based vehicles that they might employ. However, air service certainly plays into the shipping world as well, and helicopters are used much more frequently than one might realize. This is why there are companies that specifically offer helicopter courier service, which is exactly what it sounds like: a delivery made using a helicopter instead of a regular courier vehicle.
Not all couriers that offer helicopter courier service actually own their own helicopters and have pilots on staff. Instead, what some will do is have a close partnership agreement with a helicopter company. That way, when they do have the odd request come in for a quick shipment via helicopter, they can quickly and easily subcontract the job and ensure that the clients do have access to helicopter courier service. However, there are companies that actually specialize in this type of service and have one, or several, helicopters as part of their regular courier fleet.
Helicopter courier service is typically used to provide what would normally be called emergency courier service. This means that their primary function is to make sure that all deliveries are made as quickly as possible. This is used for emergency delivery situations by many different types of companies in many different industries. Helicopter service is suited uniquely well for this, because of their flexibility and speed. They are essentially the perfect vehicles for making quick deliveries over short to medium distances.
Businesses use helicopter courier service all the time when they need to make an emergency delivery. This might include emergency movement of documents which require urgent signing in hard copy, or the shipment of parts after a breakdown has been experienced at a plant. The medical industry though also uses helicopters on a very regular basis. Hospitals in larger cities often have helicopter pads incorporated into their facilities so that they can send and receive emergency medical shipments via helicopter directly from their location.
Helicopter courier service is likely the single most expensive courier service that is available, but it is a critical part of the overall industry. Its speed, and ability to reach locations that are otherwise unreachable in short periods of time, like off shore drilling platforms, make it essential.
