France-based operator Azur Hélicoptère is considering offering helicopter connections between Lyon Saint Exupéry airport and the city’s convention center, which would involve building a helipad downtown. Overflights of populated areas are strictly regulated in Europe, so the operator would use the Rhône River as a route. Other links would be offered to and from Lyon Bron business airport and the neighboring exhibition center.
“Our target is a fare of E100 [$150] per person between the main airport and the convention center, provided there are at least three passengers aboard,” Azur Hélicoptère chairman Michel de Rohozinski told AIN. He is considering using a Robinson R44, a Eurocopter EC 120 Colibri or an AS 350 Ecureuil. “Flying over highways, fields and rivers, we might avoid the need for a twin-engine helicopter, which would increase costs significantly,” he added. Whatever helicopter the company chooses, the flight will take about six minutes.
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