East Line Group’s scheme to improve links to Domodedovo given green light from government and mayor
Airport operator East Line Group is seeking to establish a helicopter service from Moscow Domodedovo airport, to satisfy growing demand for swift, direct transport to the Russian capital.
The plan has been co-developed by the city’s mayor and approved by the local government, but awaits go-ahead from central government. It is designed to help bypass the main highway linking the airport to the city, which is often heavily congested. Journey times between the two points can be up to 2h during peak times.
“We are in the process of expanding our business aviation services at Domodedovo, and a helicopter service would be welcomed,” says East Line Group business development manger Daniel Burkard. He says the airport is experiencing a “dramatic increase” in business aviation traffic, with around 120 movements a month.
East Line plans to operate fleet of helicopters from the airport. “You cannot fly directly into [or over] the city of Moscow, so the service will operate along a number of corridors.” They will then land at predesignated helipads on the outskirts of the city. “This will cut out about a third of traffic,” Burkard says. The service could also serve destinations outside Moscow poorly served by road and rail networks, Burkard says.
■ Dutch start-up Helinet plans to launch a scheduled helicopter charter service next year as part of a joint venture with Dutch government-owned public transport operator Connexxion. The operation will service cities in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
Source: Flight International