Phi Venice Heliport

The primary reason for the closure was catastrophic damage sustained from Hurricane Ida. The cost to repair and rebuild the facility to modern standards was likely deemed economically unviable by the operator, PHI, Inc. This decision may have been influenced by other factors, including the high cost of insuring infrastructure in such a storm-prone location, a strategic consolidation of operations to other regional bases (like those in Houma or Port Fourchon), and the fluctuating demands of the offshore oil and gas industry.

The site is permanently closed to all aviation activity. Recent satellite imagery shows that the former heliport infrastructure, including the concrete helipads and tarmac, has been repurposed. The area is now used as an industrial supply and storage yard, likely supporting the adjacent Venice Port Complex. The land is covered with large industrial pipes, shipping containers, and other heavy equipment used for marine and offshore support, with no remaining signs of active helicopter operations.

The Phi Venice Heliport was a critical forward logistics base supporting the U.S. offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. As a base for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. (PHI), one of the world's largest helicopter operators, it played a vital role in the daily operations of countless offshore platforms and drilling rigs. Its strategic location at the 'end of the road' in Venice provided the shortest and most direct flight path to numerous deepwater installations. Operations included:
- **Crew Changes:** Transporting thousands of workers, engineers, and executives to and from offshore facilities.
- **Light Cargo & Equipment:** Ferrying essential parts, supplies, and time-sensitive equipment.
- **Emergency Services:** Serving as a launch point for medical evacuations (medevac) and search and rescue (SAR) support missions.
The heliport was a key component of the local economy in Plaquemines Parish and a linchpin in the national energy supply chain for decades.

There are no known plans or public prospects for reopening this specific heliport. Given that the site has been fully converted to an industrial storage yard and that PHI and other operators continue to serve the region from other, more centralized or resilient facilities, a return to aviation use is considered highly unlikely. Any future increase in demand for helicopter services in the area would more likely lead to the expansion of existing heliports or the construction of a new facility in a potentially less vulnerable location.