Battersea fees up again (incl BHAB statement)
BHAB statement on Battersea
British Helicopter Advisory Board :
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP – THE LONDON HELIPORT
On 20 March, it was announced that the Von Essen Group had purchased PremiAir Aviation Group from Sir Robert McAlpine. At the same time, it was also revealed that von Essen had acquired the Weston Heliport (Battersea) and had awarded the contract to operate the heliport to PremiAir. The heliport will now be known as The London Heliport.
In a letter to their existing customers, the PremiAir Aviation Group announced a new pricing tariff and terms of business following a review of their existing and forecast traffic volumes. The new tariff becomes effective on 1 April 2007 and reflects the increased heliport leasing costs and the need to control the rapidly increasing traffic volumes if the heliport is not to reach its mandated movement cap and so face closure well before the end of the year.
The BHAB has received a number of complaints concerning the new pricing structure and has secured a meeting with PremiAir on 13 April where these and other access issues will be discussed with the heliport management. In the interim, the BHAB is in regular contact with PremiAir and has ensured that the new management is fully aware of the concerns of our members.
We will issue further reports in due course on a matter we quite understand to be of the utmost importance to our Members.
On 20 March, it was announced that the Von Essen Group had purchased PremiAir Aviation Group from Sir Robert McAlpine. At the same time, it was also revealed that von Essen had acquired the Weston Heliport (Battersea) and had awarded the contract to operate the heliport to PremiAir. The heliport will now be known as The London Heliport.
In a letter to their existing customers, the PremiAir Aviation Group announced a new pricing tariff and terms of business following a review of their existing and forecast traffic volumes. The new tariff becomes effective on 1 April 2007 and reflects the increased heliport leasing costs and the need to control the rapidly increasing traffic volumes if the heliport is not to reach its mandated movement cap and so face closure well before the end of the year.
The BHAB has received a number of complaints concerning the new pricing structure and has secured a meeting with PremiAir on 13 April where these and other access issues will be discussed with the heliport management. In the interim, the BHAB is in regular contact with PremiAir and has ensured that the new management is fully aware of the concerns of our members.
We will issue further reports in due course on a matter we quite understand to be of the utmost importance to our Members.
Avoid imitations
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The sooner there is an alternative landing place in London, the better. Both for price and availability of slots.
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The floating heliport in London was at Trigg Lane and closed in 1985. I went there once but cannot remember too much about it. If I recall correctly it had four pads on top of the barge and you walked down into the barge for the reception area.
In 1991 a consortium put plans forward for another floating heliport at Cannon Street. These plans came to nothing
In 1991 a consortium put plans forward for another floating heliport at Cannon Street. These plans came to nothing
New Battersea charges here
Of particular interest is the £15m insurance requirement. How many carry that amount ?
And I've just discovered that a Heathrow landing is £130, a take-off £155.25 and the parking charge is £5.01 per 15 mins plus 8p per tonne.
So, for £450, you can land at Heathrow, park for 2 hours, and still leave with £100 in your pocket. (Co-incidentally, enough to buy you a Platinum Club sandwich at Von Essen's Cliveden Hotel....see below.)
Von Essen is, I think, German for "haven't a clue."
Of particular interest is the £15m insurance requirement. How many carry that amount ?
And I've just discovered that a Heathrow landing is £130, a take-off £155.25 and the parking charge is £5.01 per 15 mins plus 8p per tonne.
So, for £450, you can land at Heathrow, park for 2 hours, and still leave with £100 in your pocket. (Co-incidentally, enough to buy you a Platinum Club sandwich at Von Essen's Cliveden Hotel....see below.)
Von Essen is, I think, German for "haven't a clue."
Last edited by JimBall; 1st Apr 2007 at 11:59.
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The new charges did come out on April 1st and lets hope it's a joke!!!
Even if they have 12000 landings at £450 per landing , that's still £5.4m per year. The expenses on running a place like that can't be that much, can it ?
Dick Turpin was an amateur thief compared to these lot.
Even if they have 12000 landings at £450 per landing , that's still £5.4m per year. The expenses on running a place like that can't be that much, can it ?
Dick Turpin was an amateur thief compared to these lot.
Now it's getting obvious. The Von Essen business plan. The following comes from "The Caterer" magazine:
Von Essen launches world's most expensive sandwich
(16 March 2007 17:01)
Luxury hotel group Von Essen has launched what it claims is the world’s most expensive sandwich at the Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire.
The Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich is now on the menu at the Taplow property, with a price tag of £100.
The sandwich includes Iberico ham, which has been air cured for 30 months, poulet de Bresse, quail eggs, semi-dried Italian tomatoes, 24-hour fermented sour dough bread and £25 of white truffles.
It weighs in at 530 grams and packs 1,182 calories.
Von Essen launches world's most expensive sandwich
(16 March 2007 17:01)
Luxury hotel group Von Essen has launched what it claims is the world’s most expensive sandwich at the Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire.
The Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich is now on the menu at the Taplow property, with a price tag of £100.
The sandwich includes Iberico ham, which has been air cured for 30 months, poulet de Bresse, quail eggs, semi-dried Italian tomatoes, 24-hour fermented sour dough bread and £25 of white truffles.
It weighs in at 530 grams and packs 1,182 calories.
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Yes 450quid is pretty excessive but who is the biggest user of the heliport? Answer, PremiAir. So how is VonEssen going to financially favour them? Any reduction in their landing fees would make a serious dent in the heliports' and hence VonEssens' income.
Besides, I imagine monopoly rules would rule out any legal favouritism.
It is sad, but we have to accept the days of light aircraft and the day-tripper PPL at Battersea have probably gone.
The folk paying the highest price in all this are the operators of the 120's, 206's and 355's etc.
Besides, I imagine monopoly rules would rule out any legal favouritism.
It is sad, but we have to accept the days of light aircraft and the day-tripper PPL at Battersea have probably gone.
The folk paying the highest price in all this are the operators of the 120's, 206's and 355's etc.
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It's good that the BHAB are arguing our corner but I really think the DTI should be involved.
It's blantanly obvious what's going on here. Why don't they just call it London's "PremiAir" Heliport!!!
It's blantanly obvious what's going on here. Why don't they just call it London's "PremiAir" Heliport!!!
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Count yourselvs lucky that you have somewhere to land guys!
It could be Dublin.
Guys would gladly pay these charges to land anywhere near the city!
Typicaly Irish,
As soon as the sun sets we cant take off or land anywhere bar an airport
and god forbid we land anywhere close to a city!
It could be Dublin.
Guys would gladly pay these charges to land anywhere near the city!
Typicaly Irish,
As soon as the sun sets we cant take off or land anywhere bar an airport
and god forbid we land anywhere close to a city!
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MG,
That one is sorted in the tightly worded conditions of use. If you do not tell them days before hand that you want to cancel, you pay anyway.
Operators using the London Heliport had better revise their terms and conditions to make sure that when the pax cancel or delay without notice, that they will pay the charges involved.
That one is sorted in the tightly worded conditions of use. If you do not tell them days before hand that you want to cancel, you pay anyway.
Operators using the London Heliport had better revise their terms and conditions to make sure that when the pax cancel or delay without notice, that they will pay the charges involved.
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"Von Essen launches world's most expensive sandwich (16 March 2007 17:01). Luxury hotel group Von Essen has launched what it claims is the world’s most expensive sandwich at the Cliveden House Hotel in Berkshire.
The Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich is now on the menu at the Taplow property, with a price tag of £100. The sandwich includes Iberico ham, which has been air cured for 30 months, poulet de Bresse, quail eggs, semi-dried Italian tomatoes, 24-hour fermented sour dough bread and £25 of white truffles. It weighs in at 530 grams and packs 1,182 calories."
So one of these is included in the new landing fee??
(Better than those boring chocolate orange or shortbread biscuits)
The Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich is now on the menu at the Taplow property, with a price tag of £100. The sandwich includes Iberico ham, which has been air cured for 30 months, poulet de Bresse, quail eggs, semi-dried Italian tomatoes, 24-hour fermented sour dough bread and £25 of white truffles. It weighs in at 530 grams and packs 1,182 calories."
So one of these is included in the new landing fee??
(Better than those boring chocolate orange or shortbread biscuits)
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£100 sandwich
£100 for a sandwich at Profumo central - Sounds like a bargain!
Do you think these overpriced sarnies will be on the menu in the new Battersea Von Essen hotel? Just think if we flew into Battersea and all 4 occupants had one then we might as well call it a nice round £1000 (including a tip of course).
London deserves a decent, reasonably priced heliport. If Battersea is to be allowed to charge these disproportionate and extortionate fees then an alternative site must be found.
It's Denham for me from now on,
SB
Do you think these overpriced sarnies will be on the menu in the new Battersea Von Essen hotel? Just think if we flew into Battersea and all 4 occupants had one then we might as well call it a nice round £1000 (including a tip of course).
London deserves a decent, reasonably priced heliport. If Battersea is to be allowed to charge these disproportionate and extortionate fees then an alternative site must be found.
It's Denham for me from now on,
SB
Well, we have voted with our feet.
The Boss has decided that £1100 for the privilege of leaving or arriving in London after 2100hrs is a bit steep.
May just be a certain shopkeeper and football club owner using it soon.
FNW
The Boss has decided that £1100 for the privilege of leaving or arriving in London after 2100hrs is a bit steep.
May just be a certain shopkeeper and football club owner using it soon.
FNW
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Battersea (Oops - London Heliport)
Remember Trigg Lane barge all too well ... so ridiculously convenient for the City etc. Must have used it a hundred times in the 1980s. The below deck reception was adequate if a bit damp and smelly.
I'm sure more informed guys than me know the background, but can we ask Flying Lawyer what the rules are for a freeholder owning a parcel of river frontage land, that would affect the positioning of another floating barge, (moveable) Possibly approach the days of £100 for turbines and a lot less on a piston.
Are our government men happy to pay the new charges I have to ask? An how much will the military be paying?
Seems to me there must be some adverse effect on the London capital. I think New York has around seventeen pads!
Dennis K
I'm sure more informed guys than me know the background, but can we ask Flying Lawyer what the rules are for a freeholder owning a parcel of river frontage land, that would affect the positioning of another floating barge, (moveable) Possibly approach the days of £100 for turbines and a lot less on a piston.
Are our government men happy to pay the new charges I have to ask? An how much will the military be paying?
Seems to me there must be some adverse effect on the London capital. I think New York has around seventeen pads!
Dennis K
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Hi Dennis, I remember that barge too, in fact I last saw the three helipad barge moored up near the Woolwich barrier some time only last year. I believe it was the Tower Hamlets council that put the kibosh on any further attempt at putting a floating helipad on the Thames due to noise.
So if Battersea’s excuse is being too busy then surely time’s now warrant a second helipad and Tower Hamlets may not win their argument ? We’ve spoke about this in the past, but how about replacing the HMS Belfast with the HMS Ark Royal? A fantastic museum plus an ideal helipad with hangarage!
So if Battersea’s excuse is being too busy then surely time’s now warrant a second helipad and Tower Hamlets may not win their argument ? We’ve spoke about this in the past, but how about replacing the HMS Belfast with the HMS Ark Royal? A fantastic museum plus an ideal helipad with hangarage!
As someone who lives v close to Von Essen International, I'd say that movements are well down - which is what they say they need to achieve.
The BHAB had a meeting with "da management" on April 13 and put out a statement to members afterwards. This included some defensive play by Von Essen - along the lines of a comparison chart with Heathrow. And an example of how it is now cheaper to park at Battersea than move off and come back in later. (Well - if you're in a 109 or a 76.)
But no offer to back pedal. They say that the cost of buying the place and the capital investment it needs, combined with the need to stay within movement limits means that rates had to go up. They claimed that Battersea hadn't made a profit for previous owners.
The skies are mighty quiet except for passing traffic.
The BHAB had a meeting with "da management" on April 13 and put out a statement to members afterwards. This included some defensive play by Von Essen - along the lines of a comparison chart with Heathrow. And an example of how it is now cheaper to park at Battersea than move off and come back in later. (Well - if you're in a 109 or a 76.)
But no offer to back pedal. They say that the cost of buying the place and the capital investment it needs, combined with the need to stay within movement limits means that rates had to go up. They claimed that Battersea hadn't made a profit for previous owners.
The skies are mighty quiet except for passing traffic.
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It's certainly not cheap to park overnight - even for the larger helis.
(Fees and Charges, Issue 1.0, April 2007)
Group 5 aircraft, includes:
A109, Bo-105/Bk117, Bell 222/230, Bell 430, Bell 212/412, EC145, Lynx.
E.g. Arrive 1300, day 1. Park overnight. Depart 1800, day 2.
£450 landing fee.
£900 parking up to 24 hrs.
£725 parking up to 8 hrs (more than 4 hrs, day 2).
Total = £2075.
Parking £1625 - a huge figure for a space under the windsock, which doesn't prevent the use of a spot. It doesn't take much working out that it is now FAR cheaper to park overnight at Fairoaks, Biggin, Elstree or Denham (or Heathrow!), including the second £450 landing fee incurred on return, plus about twenty five minutes DOCs into the equation.
As a comparison, costs for Heathrow for the same flight (A109) are as follows:
£285 Landing fee + departure charge (BAA).
£222 Compulsory handling.
£580 Parking (29 hrs @ £20/hour).
Total = £1087.
Other airfields are even cheaper.....
(Fees and Charges, Issue 1.0, April 2007)
Group 5 aircraft, includes:
A109, Bo-105/Bk117, Bell 222/230, Bell 430, Bell 212/412, EC145, Lynx.
E.g. Arrive 1300, day 1. Park overnight. Depart 1800, day 2.
£450 landing fee.
£900 parking up to 24 hrs.
£725 parking up to 8 hrs (more than 4 hrs, day 2).
Total = £2075.
Parking £1625 - a huge figure for a space under the windsock, which doesn't prevent the use of a spot. It doesn't take much working out that it is now FAR cheaper to park overnight at Fairoaks, Biggin, Elstree or Denham (or Heathrow!), including the second £450 landing fee incurred on return, plus about twenty five minutes DOCs into the equation.
As a comparison, costs for Heathrow for the same flight (A109) are as follows:
£285 Landing fee + departure charge (BAA).
£222 Compulsory handling.
£580 Parking (29 hrs @ £20/hour).
Total = £1087.
Other airfields are even cheaper.....
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I've also heard that the new owner is already suggesting that there will be FURTHER price increases once the redevelopments are finished 
IMO prices aren't the only matter there that could do with some improvements
IMO prices aren't the only matter there that could do with some improvements
Last edited by Flingingwings; 28th Apr 2007 at 17:07.