Anglesey’s ill-fated Dublin-Holyhead helicopter service
THE Mail took to the skies amid much excitement as “a new and exciting way to cross the Irish Sea” was launched – only to be grounded a mere 10 weeks later.
In April 1985, the new Holyhead-Dublin helicopter service began its five flights a day, and the Mail climbed aboard for the maiden voyage.
“The first £1.2 million Sikorsky N61 copter to arrive at Holyhead’s brand new heliport aroused great interest among workers in the nearby Penrhos industrial estate last week,” wrote reporter Myfanwy Jones.
“They all downed tools and made a beeline for the helicopter, seeking a better view.
“Soon, the helicopter engines began to warm up, producing a tremendous amount of vibration which got the old adrenaline flowing.
“I couldn’t wait to get in the air.
“Then, with a small bump, we rose vertically about 50ft into the air, before setting off on a route around South Stack and Trearddur Bay, then rising to the normal cruising height of 1,500ft and a speed of 138mph.”
TV star Anneka Rice visited Holyhead to launch the service, which could carry 26 passengers and baggage, as well as a crew of two pilots and a cabin assistant.
Peter Powell, from the Holyhead heliport, told the Mail: “This is the first truly international shuttle service in Europe.”
John Riordan, the man behind the venture, said: “We intend to run a first-class service at second-class prices and give our passengers another choice in getting to Britain.”
Waiting passengers could enjoy the “luxurious” heliport’s “spacious lounges, fine restaurant and duty-free goods,” before crossing the Irish Sea in 30 minutes.
The service was expected to carry between 30,000 and 35,000 passengers during its first year of operation, reported the Mail.
While “not without its teething troubles,” it initially seemed to do well: “The new service is already carrying more passengers than expected and bookings were said to be flooding in.”
However, by June, all flights had been cancelled and the staff made redundant.
The service was suspended after the company “failed to get a £250,000 council loan to help them out of a cash crisis,” wrote the Mail.
“The last helicopter flight to leave Holyhead for Dublin left on time at 9.15pm on Monday night, and afterwards the gates to the airport were locked.”