The London Heliport at Battersea

Why it is on the list

Battersea has been the only CAA-licensed heliport serving London since the City's floating helipad at Trigg Lane closed in 1985; it has operated since 1959.¹ It keeps its own air traffic control, fire and rescue cover, handling and fuel on the site.² Helicopter transfers from here reach Heathrow and Biggin Hill in 10 minutes, Gatwick, Luton and Farnborough in 20, and Stansted and London Oxford in 22.³ It is a Certificate of Agreement aerodrome for customs, so a helicopter from the EU or the Common Travel Area can land here directly once the flight has been declared in advance.⁴

It is the wrong choice outside its hours: core operations run 07:30 to 19:30 on weekdays and 08:00 to 18:00 at weekends and on bank holidays, extensions reach 07:00 to 23:00 only by prior arrangement, and an aircraft staying overnight must be on the ground by 22:55, while departures must be airborne by 22:45.⁵ Border Force has no permanent presence, so an undeclared or late-declared international flight can be refused or diverted.⁴

How to get it

Call Operations on +44 20 7228 0181 or write to info@londonheliport.co.uk.⁶ The heliport owns no aircraft; for a charter its operations team puts you in touch with operators it works with and can arrange landing sites, permissions and catering.⁷ Its charter partner, Get Heli, gives quotes from several operators.² Charter enquiries for a jet or other fixed-wing aircraft go to London Oxford Airport on +44 1865 290 600 or info@londonoxfordairport.com.⁶

Evening extensions must be requested by 19:30 on the day (18:00 at weekends) and early ones by 18:00 the day before.⁵ For a flight from the EU the operator files a General Aviation Report at least 2 hours before arrival, 12 hours for the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Ireland, and sends the receipt to info@londonheliport.co.uk.⁴ Cheltenham, the Derby, Royal Ascot, Glastonbury, the British Grand Prix, Goodwood and the Farnborough trade days are special event days, when slots are scarce.⁵ Parking is limited: ask for a space as soon as possible, and at least 24 hours ahead for the underground car park.⁶⁸

Discretion

The entrance is through a secure reception, and cars drop off and wait at the front of the building.⁸ The private room is sound-proofed, has blinds to close it off from the lounge and opens straight out to the helicopter; staff escort passengers and bags airside.⁸ Access is controlled, and staff may ask passengers for proof of identity and screen their bags.⁹ For onward travel the heliport works with HR Carriages, a chauffeur firm.¹⁰