Air Harrods celebrates its 20th year of
operation at London Stansted Airport this November.
Air Harrods was founded when the former owner
of the famous Harrods Knightsbridge store expanded his personal helicopter fleet
and decided to offer luxury helicopter services to the open market for charter.
The fleet then consisted of three aircraft -
one Sikorsky 76A+, one Sikorsky 76B and an Aerospatiale AS355F2 (Twin Squirrel)
- and the company began its journey as a commercial operator and aircraft
management company, completing over 100 operations in its first year. By
the tenth year of operation, it averaged over 1000 flying hours per annum and
operated up to six helicopters.
The business changed direction in its 15th
year and the focus turned more towards management of private aircraft with
charter playing a secondary role.
Today Air Harrods manage a fleet of
helicopters flying globally both land and yacht based. The experienced, long
standing team of twelve, are all dedicated to providing a first class,
personalised and highly professional service to VVIP clients.
Air Harrods can, and have, offered helicopter
charters to many famous events including the British Grand Prix, many music
festivals and a host of other social and sporting venues. Supporting major
shoots is always a fun job, and some Air Harrods pilots have been lucky enough
to have a minor film role.
While the aircraft are primarily used as a
valuable business tool, one client flew into London Stansted on a private jet,
then flew on the S76 helicopter to collect a kitten from a breeder before
returning with the kitten to their private jet and returning to Russia. Now
that’s a purr-fect trip!
Air Harrods have experience in operating a
variety of helicopter types: Sikorsky S76A+ / B / C+ / C++; AS355F2 (Twin
Squirrel); EC135; Agusta A109E Power Elite; Agusta A109S Grand; Sikorsky S92A;
H155 and Agusta Westland 139 . The company offers high quality FBO services at
London Luton and Stansted airports. Both bases have fully equipped hangars for
aircraft maintenance and engineering and Harrods Aviation also has a Honeywell
accredited Engine Shop which is based at Farnborough. |