New Helicopter Link for the Scillies

David Mudd reports from Land's End Airport and interviews Captain Wells on the end of service for the last British European Airways de Havilland Dragon Rapide operating to the Isles of Scilly. The shot haul biplne airliners have been in operation since 1937 and even operated during the Second World War. A new Sikorsky helicopter G-ASNL began operating from the airport at St Just before moving to the purpose-built helipad and aerodrome at East Green in Penzance.

The BEA Helicopter Ltd General Manager is Captain Cameron and pilot Captain Pritchard are interviewed. The helicopter service closed in November 2012 but moves to reinstate the route continue to be put forward. Rising cost and low demand forced the company to sell up and the supermarket chain Sainsbury's acquired the land at East Green. The Royal Mail Vessel Scillonian III based in Penzance transfers passengers to the Isles of Scilly throughout the summer season. Over two thousand people reside on the Scillies, five of its islands are inhabited and it has its own Council. The archipelago has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) since 1975 and has an important cut flower industry.