DHL started flying a helicopter for early morning delivery services for several major banking customers in the downtown Los Angeles area.
DHL Express introduced the helicopter service into its Los Angeles operation as a way to guarantee early morning 9 a.m. delivery service, regardless of traffic bottlenecks. Used by specific financial services customers, this service will expand to include additional customers in the Los Angeles area.
“DHL is always looking for innovative ways to move our customers’ shipments with the greatest speed and reliability,” said Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express U.S.
International shipments arrive at the DHL Los Angeles Airport gateway, with specific packages transported by helicopter to a dedicated heliport in downtown Los Angeles. A DHL courier meets the helicopter and provides the final-mile deliveries.
The DHL helicopter, a “Twinstar” Eurocopter AS355, is operated for DHL by Helinet of Van Nuys, California and can transport up to 800 pounds of letters and packages.
A DHL helicopter service is also used in New York, providing lifts from the DHL JFK gateway to U.S. bank headquarters and federal bank locations.