Story ID: 
Flexjet Bases European Helicopter Fleet at Blackbushe
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: S-76s and AW139s will carry passengers to and from London-area airports
Word Count: 236
Private flight group Flexjet is relocating the base for its European helicopter operations to the Blackbushe Airport (EGLK) in the UK. The site will be used to support shuttle flight services for customers arriving and departing on airplanes at the nearby Farnborough Airport and other London-area airports such as Biggin Hill, Luton, and Stansted.
Flexjet’s fleet of Sikorsky S-76 and Agusta AW139 helicopters are now operating from a hangar at Blackbushe, which is in the process of implementing a $20 million upgrade to attract business aviation traffic. The operator is considering plans to move other managed helicopters to the site.
“We’re excited to be establishing Blackbushe as the new home of our UK helicopter operation,” said Flexjet Vertical Lift president Eli Flint. “The location works extremely well alongside our expanding presence at nearby Farnborough Airport and keeps us ideally positioned within our UK rotary service area. We’re making good progress with the new facility and are excited about what it will enable us to offer our customers and crews as we approach the official launch later this year.”
According to sources close to the development speaking with AIN on condition of anonymity, Flexjet came close to relocating the rotorcraft operation to Fairoaks Airport (EGTF) before opting for Blackbushe. Fairoaks is slightly closer to London but farther from Farnborough.