A new helicopter charter service that can fly up to five passengers to their destination, including into city centres and in poor weather conditions, has opened in the north of England.

LNT Aviation, part of Leeds-based LNT Group, operates an AS355 Twin Squirrel helicopter, which is based at Leeds-Bradford Airport. The company is run by racing driver Laurence Tomlinson and the motor racing calendar features regularly in the company’s helicopter missions.

LNT’s client list already boasts a number of sports stars, including Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney and Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger.

Since the company’s launch earlier this year, pilot Damian Roberts has flown the aircraft on a number of missions including escorting property surveyors around sites within the UK, taking passengers from Manchester to London and transporting workers to and from a tanker in Teeside.

Roberts said the company will consider a range of charter services, from wedding to business trips; most of its flights last for a minimum of one hour, however, rather than short pleasure trips lasting less than

10 minutes.

When the demand for charter services eases during the winter months, Roberts has been given the task of finding a suitable second aircraft, most likely a Dauphin that will allow the charter service to extend further into Europe. LNT Aviation is also hoping to move into purpose-built premises in the

coming months.

But for now, Roberts is more than happy to fly the Twin Squirrel. “This helicopter is excellent for UK and near Europe trips, especially when we’re flying to race circuits, for example. But when you want to go further afield – although the helicopter is fast – if you have a full aircraft you’re going to have to stop to refuel at some point.

“But it’s ideal for shorter trips and the corporate charter market because it can accommodate four people in vip seating and is good for trips that last about one hour.”

Roberts, who has 22 years of military and vip charter flying experience, is licensed to fly Instrument Flight Rules, which allows the helicopter to fly in cloud, at night and over city centres.

LNT Aviation sates that with sufficient notice, it can fly to any ad-hoc site that has been approved by the pilot.