page_title: Airlink (helicopter shuttle service)
hierarchical_section_title: Airlink (helicopter shuttle service)
caption_attribution_description: English: Gatwick - Heathrow's 'Airlink' shuttle in the form of Sikorsky S-61N G-LINK caught arriving by the old South Pier at Gatwick sometime in the mid 1980's. Previously this service was flown using Westward Airways twin-engined BN-2A Islanders but as the passenger and baggage loads increased the S-61's were adopted. Weather over the North Downs was often a factor too and these helicopters were fitted with weather radar giving them greater flexibility over their fixed-wing predecessors. However it was never really viable especially with the improved M23/M25 Motorway links. Using the alternative direct bus and coach connections, journeys between the two London Terminals - although slower, were much cheaper and the service was ended. Scanned 35mm Transparency 086 008
context_page_description: Airlink was the brand name of a helicopter shuttle service which ran between London's two main airports, Gatwick and Heathrow, between 1978 and 1986. Operated jointly by British Caledonian Airways and British Airways Helicopters using a Sikorsky S-61 owned by the British Airports Authority, the "curious and unique operation" connected the rapidly growing airports in the years before the M25 motorway existed. Although at one point the service was granted a licence to operate until 1994, the Secretary of State for Transport intervened and revoked the licence with effect from February 1986—by which time the continued existence of the link had become "a highly controversial issue" debated by Members of Parliament, airlines, airport operators, local authorities and many other interest groups. No similar service has operated between the airports since Airlink's cessation.
context_section_description: Airlink was the brand name of a helicopter shuttle service which ran between London's two main airports, Gatwick and Heathrow, between 1978 and 1986.  Operated jointly by British Caledonian Airways and British Airways Helicopters using a Sikorsky S-61 owned by the British Airports Authority, the "curious and unique operation" connected the rapidly growing airports in the years before the M25 motorway existed.  Although at one point the service was granted a licence to operate until 1994, the Secretary of State for Transport intervened and revoked the licence with effect from February 1986—by which time the continued existence of the link had become "a highly controversial issue" debated by Members of Parliament, airlines, airport operators, local authorities and many other interest groups.  No similar service has operated between the airports since Airlink's cessation.
caption: Airlink Sikorsky S-61N at Gatwick
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