Latest news with #PenzanceHelicopters
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Isles of Scilly helicopter service expands fleet
A company which runs a helicopter passenger service between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland is expanding its fleet to meet increased demand. Penzance Helicopters runs up to 11 daily flights between the islands and Penzance, taking up to 10 people per crossing. The company said the addition of another helicopter would increase its fleet to three aircraft and allow up to 17 crossings per day. David Page, Penzance Heliport base manager, said passenger numbers had increased by 30% since helicopter operators Starspeed took over running the service in 2022. "The addition of a third aircraft will make a significant investment in the resilience, reliability and extra flights to the islands which is obviously what we need," Mr Page told BBC Radio Cornwall. He added: "Initially we'll lease it [the aircraft] for a long-term period with the aim, eventually, to purchase it like we've done with the other two. "The two we're running at the moment ranged between about £15m and £20m." Mr Page said the business had connected with the community and held classes for schools and invited the local Women's Institute group for a tour. "It's an ambition of mine to really connect with our neighbours and the community and we have worked hard as a team to do that over the past three years," he said. Penzance Helicopters expect to receive their new aircraft in August and have it in operation for summer 2026. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Two-million pound heliport approved Penzance-Scilly helicopters axed Penzance Helicopters Starspeed
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Isles of Scilly helicopter passenger service expands fleet
A company which runs a helicopter passenger service between the Isles of Scilly and the mainland is expanding its fleet to meet increased Helicopters runs up to 11 daily flights between the islands and Penzance, taking up to 10 people per crossing. The company said the addition of another helicopter would increase its fleet to three aircraft and allow up to 17 crossings per Page, Penzance Heliport base manager, said passenger numbers had increased by 30% since helicopter operators Starspeed took over running the service in 2022. "The addition of a third aircraft will make a significant investment in the resilience, reliability and extra flights to the islands which is obviously what we need," Mr Page told BBC Radio added: "Initially we'll lease it [the aircraft] for a long-term period with the aim, eventually, to purchase it like we've done with the other two. "The two we're running at the moment ranged between about £15m and £20m." Mr Page said the business had connected with the community and held classes for schools and invited the local Women's Institute group for a tour. "It's an ambition of mine to really connect with our neighbours and the community and we have worked hard as a team to do that over the past three years," he said. Penzance Helicopters expect to receive their new aircraft in August and have it in operation for summer 2026.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Underweight seal flown from Isles of Scilly to Cornwall sanctuary
An underweight and lone seal pup has been flown from the Isles of Scilly to a seal sanctuary in Davey, from British Divers Marine Life Rescue, said the pup was about five days old and had been initially spotted alone on an inaccessible beach on Tresco on female pup made its way to St Mary's harbour but rescuers said she was underweight and alone, so they asked Penzance Helicopters if they could manage an extra passenger on pup, which has been called Grub, was taken to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek. Rescuers said Grub was "progressing well" and was on a diet of fish soup four times a day. Ms Davey told BBC Radio Cornwall: "The pup was clearly underweight, it only weighed 13kg (28.6lbs) and it still had its umbilicus so it was, we reckon, probably four to five days old."It has a full white of coat, which they have for the first three weeks, and it had not started to moult."She said Penzance Helicopters had "bent over backwards" to help ensure the pup got the timely care it needed.A spokesperson for Penzance Helicopters said: "It's not always about supporting the islands with a lifeline link for people, sometimes we get a curve ball and we are always happy to help."
