Pilot Air Freight has decided to enter the home delivery business nationwide. The Lima, Pa.-based company will launch Pilot Home Delivery this spring to meet increased demand for high-speed, high-quality airfreight services in the business-to-consumer market. The carrier says it plans to provide time-definite transportation services through its nationwide network to retailers and manufacturers that ship large consumer items such as electronics, home furnishings and exercise equipment direct to the customer's home.

Pilot will make pickups anywhere in the country and guarantee three- to five-day transit times to most destinations. The forwarder will offer various levels of service, including its Premier offering, which will include home delivery and unpacking, setup, minor assembly and debris removal. John Keleman, director of the home delivery services unit, says the freight forwarder will use a combination of its in-house fleet and subcontracted home delivery companies for deliveries.

The idea for the new offering emerged from a service Pilot was performing for the QVC Network. Pilot says it has delivered more than 15,000 shipments of fitness equipment and home furnishings to QVC customers' homes. Among the company's current Home Delivery customers are home electronics manufacturer Panasonic and retailer Neiman Marcus.