May 04, 2007
Delays for US Helicopter's LaGuardia shuttle service
US Helicopter has further delayed plans to add service to LaGuardia Airport from Manhattan, according to its annual report.
Originally, the company had said it hoped to start LaGuardia service in October 2006. But the April 17 annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission warns of a longer wait: "We intend to expand our service to LaGuardia International Airport and the West 30th Street Heliport in Manhattan during the next 12 months."
US Helicopter, which first started 8-minute weekday service between JFK and the Wall Street heliport in March 2006 for $139 per trip, has since added service points at Newark Airport, the E. 34th Street heliport in Manhattan and Connecticut's Bridgeport Sikorsky Memorial Airport. Passengers boarding at a Manhattan heliport go through TSA-approved security and can bypass the regular security checkpoints at the airport as long as their flight is with US Helicopter's airline partner (so far only American at JFK and Continental at Newark.) However, the company said it is "actively involved in negotiations with other major airlines," and hopes to offer secure-side transfers via bus or van to other airlines.
Currently, it costs $164.90 to fly between Wall Street and JFK; $174.90 between E. 34th and JFK; or $164.90 between Wall Street and Newark Liberty Airport. (Sample fares listed include all security fees and taxes.)
US Helicopter is also planning for regularly scheduled helicopter services between suburban helipads and New York City, weekend service to spots such as the Hamptons, Cape Code and Martha’s Vineyard, and other scheduled service to Atlantic City and Connecticut, according to the annual report. Within four years, it plans to expand to Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles. The company had an accumulated deficit of $12.7 million at the end of 2006, according to the filing. Its $1.4 million of revenue for the year came mainly from charter flights ($987,185) and less so from the scheduled passenger service ($417,415.)
Earlier: NY eyes East Coast seaplane routes from East River
34th Street Heliport to start airport shuttles Feb. 5
US Helicopter to start Newark-Wall Street on Dec. 18
US Helicopter hopes to serve LaGuardia by October
Circle Line adds cruises, but LaGuardia ferry on hold
May 4, 2007 07:02 AM in Arrivology
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