Cruise Ship & Superyacht Helicopter Transfers
VIP guest transfers, medical evacuation and crew rotations to and from cruise vessels and superyachts — coordinated with port authorities.
- Twin-engine IFR helicopters cleared for shipboard operations
- Port authority & harbour master coordination handled for you
- Discreet VIP handling with private FBO / heliport access
- Urgent medical evacuation from vessels at anchor or under way, subject to operator availability
Cruise & Maritime — questions we get asked
Can helicopters land directly on a cruise ship or superyacht?
Only vessels with a certified helideck (or a touch-and-go platform) can accept a direct landing. For ships without a deck we arrange the nearest heliport or airport transfer and coordinate the tender or launch.
How do you handle port authority and harbour-master clearance?
Our concierge team files the flight plan, coordinates with the port authority, harbour master and the vessel's captain, and confirms slot times so you don't chase permissions yourself.
Can you arrange medical evacuation from a vessel at sea, at any hour?
Yes — we source HEMS-capable twin-engine helicopters with hoist for medical evacuation from vessels at anchor or under way, coordinated with the ship's doctor and the receiving trauma centre, subject to operator availability, ship clearance and weather.
How discreet is the guest transfer experience?
Guests are handled through private FBO or heliport lounges, with the operator matching your yacht's or brand's protocol. NDAs are standard and no guest name appears on public flight-tracking feeds where opt-out is possible.
Do you support crew rotations at remote ports?
Regularly. We arrange crew shuttles between the vessel and the nearest airport for shift changes, including multi-leg or multi-aircraft rotations for larger crews.
What notice do you need for a cruise or superyacht transfer?
Standard bookings need 24–72 hours to align port clearance, but we routinely turn same-day requests for missed sailings, medical situations or last-minute VIP arrivals.
How SkyMatch works
SkyMatch is an independent helicopter charter concierge and broker, not an aircraft operator. SkyMatch sources suitable licensed helicopter operators for specialized missions worldwide. Flights are operated by licensed third-party operators. Operator credentials, aircraft suitability, crew qualification, permits, landing and staging arrangements, safety requirements and availability are confirmed during the sourcing process. Cost depends on route, aircraft, mission duration, payload, crew, positioning, permits, fuel, staging and local regulations. Every request is reviewed by a human specialist and remains subject to licensed-operator approval, aircraft availability, weather, safety requirements, landing permissions and local regulations.