18-Nov-2024 Source: HeliPackers
HeliPackers has entered the European helicopter logistics market in full force, debuting its end-to-end helicopter transport solutions at the European Rotors Show in Amsterdam last week. This marks a pivotal development for buyers and sellers, providing the critical support needed to seamlessly transfer helicopters across international borders and bridge the logistical gap between buyer and aircraft, no matter where they are located.
The positive response at European Rotors confirmed HeliPackers’ position as a trusted solution, allowing international buyers to access European-based helicopters with lower flight hours, meticulous maintenance records, and overall lighter usage history.
“We’ve been packing, shipping, and importing helicopters worldwide through our maintenance company, Leading Edge Aerospace, for years. From this experience, we know that a helicopter must go through a series of precise, sequenced steps to transition successfully from a seller in one country to a new owner across the globe. Too often, though, after a sale closes, there’s no buyer’s representative on-site to oversee these critical stages, which can lead to delays or even damage,” says Beth Christianos, Director of Maintenance & Managing Partner of Leading Edge Aerospace and HeliPackers.
“While there are some excellent freight forwarders in the market, and we’ve partnered with several, we found a crucial gap in technical expertise between the freight forwarder, the buyer, and the seller. High-value shipments like helicopters involve complex regulatory requirements that demand specialized oversight,” says Todd Reicher, Quality Assurance Manager for HeliPackers and Leading Edge Aerospace.
“We saw a clear need and created HeliPackers to be that link as the dedicated buyer’s representative so that buying internationally becomes easy and reliable. We hear from North American operators that they’d love to buy helicopters from Europe, but the logistics are too much of a headache – everything from disassembly and packing to shipping, export/import paperwork, and reassembly.”
The company’s team of highly specialized maintenance professionals, test pilots, and logistics experts carries out and oversees each step, with a single point of contact and real-time tracking for clients.
This approach allows clients to focus on their existing operations while HeliPackers manages the intricate details of transitioning the new purchase into their country of operation and into their fleet.
With a service model that includes pre-import inspections, export/import consulting, and full logistical support, HeliPackers removes the uncertainties typically associated with international helicopter purchases. From inspection and disassembly to packing, shipping, and reassembly, HeliPackers simplifies the entire process, allowing buyers to shop globally with confidence.
Throughout the European Rotors event, HeliPackers also made strong connections with leasing companies interested in securing a dependable third-party maintenance partner. These companies are seeking support to conduct thorough independent inspections between leases, ensuring a seamless and fair transition of helicopters from one lessee to another.
HeliPackers’ pre-purchase inspection service meets this need by facilitating detailed pre-lease and post-lease evaluations, helping leasing companies prepare helicopters for their next operator.
“With services that span every aspect of helicopter transitions, from inspections to final reassembly, we’re bringing a level of ease and reliability to the global market that hasn’t been available until now,” said Beth Christianos.
The European Rotors Show highlighted the widespread demand for a dedicated helicopter logistics partner, positioning HeliPackers as a valuable resource in the international resale market for helicopters.