First Helicopter Flights from Zeeland Airport terminal
International energy logistics service provider Peterson has opened its new helicopter passenger terminal in the south west of the Netherlands, with the first helicopter flights taking off yesterday. The new terminal, which represents a significant commitment by Peterson, is expected to support up to 4,000 passengers through hundreds of helicopter flights every year, offering new transportation options to the offshore wind energy industry.
The first of these flights, operated by B2B helicopter operator NHV, took off carrying passengers from marine contractor Van Oord to the East Anglia One wind farm. Until now, the renewables industry in the south west of the Netherlands has been largely supported by the Port of Vlissingen. By opening this passenger terminal, Peterson is making other efficient transport options available so support the growing industry. With Zeeland Airport located just 3.5km from the port and only a 15-minute flight to the new Borssele windfarms, flying personnel and equipment to the sites will be one of the most efficient ways to travel, saving time and the associated costs. Jan Schipper, Regional Director at Peterson, says, “We are delighted to see the first flights taking off from the Zeeland Airport terminal, signifying a new era for transport in the region. This is an area in which we already have decades of experience, through our Den Helder terminal, and we have used our proven process to bring a great customer experience to Zeeland Airport. The renewables industry is a growing and evolving business and through this new terminal, we have the flexibility to support its changing needs. Depending on what the market is asking for, we will look at what kind of services we can offer in addition to helicopter transfers. Our local Vlissingen office will play an important role in this.”
Jan Willem Cornelissen, Business Manager Aviation at Peterson adds, “Working together with our local office, Ovet Shipping, means we are in the best possible position to support the renewable industry, with national visibility and local knowledge. The airport is ideally located and, combined with our aviation expertise and innovations, we are confident this site will become the most efficient gateway to the new wind farms.” Martin Dekker, Manager at Ovet Shipping, the Zeeland office, comments, “Peterson has vast experience in servicing the renewables market for a substantial number of clients, so we understand the demands of the industry. Additionally we operate against the highest HSEQ standards. Our passenger terminal ensures we can effectively and safely manage personnel and flights to reduce travel time and costs for our clients. Furthermore, we can offer fully integrated logistics support over sea and land as well.”