Uber takes to the sky

Ride-hailing company Uber has begun providing helicopter service in Brazil's biggest city.

Uber's communications director in Brazil said Tuesday that it has started a month-long trial of the Ubercopter service between airports, hotels and convention centres.

Fabio Sabba said the service is operating from five helipads and four hotels; and that prices range from US$17 to US$80 a seat.

In a brief telephone interview, Sabba said it is the only service of its kind provided by Uber anywhere in the world because it is not limited to specific events like the Cannes Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival in Utah where Uber has offered helicopter services.

He said Ubercopter is a partnership with the Airbus Group and uses three helicopter operators in Sao Paulo.