UK helicopter charter and management company PremiAir has clinched an exclusive contract to operate London's only commercial heliport at Battersea.

The deal was awarded to PremiAir by luxury hotel company von Essen Hotels, which acquired the freehold site from London heliport's former operator Weston Group. Weston acquired the heliport in 2003 from Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed .

The latest deal comes as the heliport, which records around 1,000 movements a month, undergoes a major expansion programme including a new luxury hotel adjacent to the site and a new aircraft terminal.

PremiAir managing director David McRobert says:  "Since 1959, 'Battersea' has offered vital helicopter access to the UK's capital city for business, leisure, police and air ambulance uses. Following many years of uncertainty at Battersea, this move demonstrates that the new London Heliport owners are committed to maintaining this capability long term."  

Battersea Heliport 01

 © PremiAir

 Battersea heliport 02


London heliport is located on the south bank of the River Thames between Wandsworth and Battersea bridges, and provides landing, parking and refuelling services.  PremiAir's  charter fleet includes a mix of Sikorsky S76s, Agusta A109A, Bell
222 and Eurocopter Twin Squirrels.   The company also manages von Essen’s fleet of helicopters and business jets.

Source: FlightGlobal.com