Gloucester-based Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) is operating scheduled flights in partnership with The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) from Land's End airport to the Isles of Scilly, using a 10-seat AW169 helicopter.

Known as Island Helicopters, the service will operate up to six days a week from Land's End airport, with up to eight return flights a day. The flight time will be approximately 15 minutes.

MD of SAS Henk Schaeken says: “We are delighted to be partnering with ISSG to provide the aircraft and crews for these flights from Land's End. The AW169 is a state-of-the-art helicopter and we'll be providing an aircraft straight off the production line, offering passengers a speedy and comfortable service. We look forward to expanding our operations in Cornwall.”

ISSG was founded almost 100 years ago to provide passenger and freight services to the Isles of Scilly. The £17 million turnover business employs 228 staff and returns more than £1.1 million a year to local communities through subsidised travel, freight, sponsorships and grants. ISSG chairman Andrew May adds: “We're thrilled to welcome Island Helicopters to Land's End airport and look forward to sharing our modern facilities, which already handle more than 60,000 passengers a year. We know there is demand from thousands of people who have really missed this helicopter route, since the former service stopped in 2012.

“We've listened to demand, investigated what we believe can work, and have partnered with SAS to make it happen. This gives visitors and islanders more choice over how they travel and makes the transport network more resilient.

“We plan to fly to St Mary's airport and Tresco, subject to agreement with both. We know how important a direct high quality helicopter link is to Tresco's customers and we are renewing our offer to make the service a success for all of the islands.”