London’s Vertical Gateway takes off
Posted Date: 14/07/2010
The new passenger terminal at the London Heliport, in Battersea, is now officially open for business, in good time for the Farnborough Air Show. The heliport is operated and managed by PremiAir on behalf of the von Essen Group, which owns the heliport, together with Hotel Verta a new, luxury hotel due to open in September and which adjoins the passenger terminal.
The heliport development has been ongoing for two years and now provides additional helicopter parking capacity, a totally rebuilt and upgraded control tower and modern facilities for the Heliport’s fire and rescue team. The new terminal accepted its first passengers in May 2010. Final work involves redevelopment of the control tower and this will be completed by October 2010. Two passenger lounges are available and there is a separate lounge for pilots and crewmembers.
Hotel Verta is the first integrated hotel heliport solution in Europe and the complex is launched as London’s Vertical Gateway. The hotel’s design has been inspired by the glory days of aviation and all 70 bedrooms, including 14 suites, are furnished in a classically modern style, each with original artwork and bespoke fitting. Windows feature quadruple glazing so that the sound of helicopter operations is totally subdued.
The London Heliport remains the Capital’s only licensed commercial heliport. Since opening in 1959 it has handled more than 450,000 movements and continues to provide a vital communications link into the heart of London. David McRobert, PremiAir’s Group Managing Director commented, “from a business aviation perspective it is now a superb facility and in conjunction with Hotel Verta it really will provide Heliport users with immediate access to an exceptional range of on-site services that are unique in the business aviation world”
Currently the Heliport has an annual movement limit of 12,000, plus some additional exempt or State movements. Demand for the Heliport is forecast to grow significantly and it will have a key role for the 2012 Olympics.
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