Penzance Heliport

The closure was primarily due to economic factors. The operator, British International Helicopters (BIH), ceased the scheduled service to the Isles of Scilly after it was deemed financially unviable, following the loss of a key contract and increasing operational costs. The land on which the heliport was situated was subsequently sold for commercial redevelopment.

The site of the original heliport at Eastern Green, Penzance, has been completely redeveloped. The terminal building, hangars, and landing pad were demolished. The location is now occupied by a large Sainsbury's supermarket and an adjacent retail park.

The original Penzance Heliport (official ICAO: EGHK) was a site of major historical importance for UK aviation. Opened in 1964 by BEA Helicopters, it operated the world's longest-running scheduled passenger helicopter service. For 48 years, it was the primary air link between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly, serving the islands of St Mary's and Tresco. The service was a vital lifeline for islanders and a cornerstone of the tourism industry, transporting hundreds of thousands of passengers, mail, and essential freight annually. It was an iconic gateway to the islands for nearly half a century.

The original heliport site will not reopen due to its redevelopment. However, following a strong public and business campaign to restore a direct helicopter link from Penzance, a **new, modern Penzance Heliport** was constructed at a different, nearby site on Jelbert Way. This new facility successfully opened in March 2020 and now operates scheduled flights to the Isles of Scilly, restoring the service that was lost when the original heliport closed.