Abu Dhabi: Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), an Abu Dhabi helicopter operator, has opened the capital's first commercial heliport, a Dh3 million investment. Located next to Marina Mall, the terminal comprises three helipads and one master helipad, to be used for the company's aircraft services including its new helicopter sightseeing tours.
A 30-minute tour aboard one of the EC130 helicopters goes along the Corniche, above Saadiyat and Yas Islands, past the Shaikh Zayed Grand Mosque and the Emirates Palace Hotel.
They can be booked on an individual or exclusive basis and depending on the duration can cost between Dh 490 and Dh1,250 per person.
"People are looking for a new perspective of Abu Dhabi," said Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan during the opening ceremony.
"What has been previously an exclusive experience has now become available to the public," he said.
"It [Abu Dhabi] is one of the leading tourism destinations now and next year it is project to be one of the top ten. We're going to have to add aircraft to meet demands," said Gregory Shockley, Chief Executive Officer at FAS.
The company currently has 26 aircraft in operation — 21 helicopters and five jets. Two helicopters will be used to fly tourists for a 360 degree Abu Dhabi experience.
Plans
FAS is looking at adding two or three helicopters as they expect business to triple in the future. An EC130 helicopter can cost up to $3 million (Dh11.03 million).
While the tourism sector is growing, FAS runs a major corporate charter operation for high network individuals, business executive and government officials.
Shockley said that there is significant need for this service, not just in the UAE but in the entire region.
The company also has 10 aircraft dedicated to the offshore gas and oil sector, said A.J. Baker, Vice-President of Business Development and Strategy at FAS.
Baker said that although business slowed down due to the economic downturn in late 2008 and early 2009, it's picking up again.
"There is a very good number of regular clients that use helicopters as a regular means of transport," he said.
"People want to avoid an hour and a half or two hours driving when they can be there in 30 minutes in a helicopter," he added.
"The VIP shuttles that we offer between Dubai and Abu Dhabi are almost like a taxi service. You call up day or night whenever you need it and we're there," Shockley said.
Every aircraft in the company's fleet has a revenue model, so one helicopter would need to make several trips a day to make enough money, Shockley explained.
"But because of the tremendous growth in business here, we have projected large numbers for this segment, so we're very excited about it and we see a bright future," he said.
