Bolloré Logistics was recently tasked with the end-to-end delivery of an H125 helicopter from France to Santiago de Chile. The helicopter, dubbed as squirrel is 11 metres long, a versatile device suitable for business transport, medical evacuation, or urban and road surveillance. 

The operation was carried out on behalf of Ecocopter (a rotorcraft operator based in Chile). The pick-up service from Marseille, the air transport service and delivery to Chile, the final destination, have been set up by the Bolloré Logistics teams.

The operation was made possible thanks to the synergies existing between the local teams in France and in Santiago de Chile. For the pick-up in France, the cargo was then prepared and then delivered to the airline so that the helicopter could be transported to Chile. Once in Chile, the Bolloré Logistics teams on site unloaded the cargo and ensured final delivery the same day.

An out of gauge operation of this type, with dimensions of 600x245x290 meters, required the use of specialized machinery such as a forklift, with great control and care in the handling of the merchandise, as well as a lowboy truck for the transport of heavy merchandise.

Bolloré Logistics is a renowned expert in helicopter logistics, with over 50 years’ experience of moving helicopters around the world, and manages the entire supply chain of many helicopters on a daily basis.

“This major just-in-time delivery challenge was our priority, while ensuring strict cost compliance,” said David Trujillo, Air Operations Services for Bolloré Logistics Chile. “Providing excellent service is what Bolloré Logistics represents through every one of its employees, who through their commitment and effort are capable of handling all kinds of tasks regardless of their complexity.”

The customer was grateful for Bolloré Logistics’ management of this operation as the operator remained in constant communication with them, providing full details of the shipment and flow of the operation at every step of the supply chain.

Ecocopter has been in business since 2003 and is involved in services such as offshore transportation, mining operations support, medical evacuation, firefighting, and other aerial work. It currently operates a fleet of 21 helicopters including 16 H125s, a pair of H135s, and three H145s.