Helicopter charter for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Where can you charter a helicopter for the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man?

Each island has one main airport, and each has its own rules for customs and general aviation reports.

• Jersey Airport has a 1,705 m runway and customs on site during airport hours, which are 07:00 to 21:00 in winter and to 21:30 in summer. A General Declaration is filed before arrival. Aircraft on remote stands wait for the handler's transport.
• Guernsey Airport is open 06:30 to 21:00 all year, with a General Aviation Report to the Guernsey Border Agency for inbound and outbound flights. A taxi rank stands outside the terminal.
• Alderney, covered on both the Jersey and Guernsey pages, is open 07:40 to 18:30 (later on summer weekends) with customs on site, but no fuel, so uplifts are taken in Guernsey.
• Isle of Man Airport at Ronaldsway has a 2,110 m runway. Handling is mandatory, and customs needs prior notice by 16:00 on the previous day, with an Isle of Man General Aviation Report.

How long does it take to fly to and from the islands?

There is no road alternative, so the comparison with a car does not exist, and we have not verified ferry or scheduled air timings for this page, so we do not quote them. The helicopter times below come from our route data, using block time at 135 knots plus eight minutes.

• Jersey to Southampton takes about 50 to 65 minutes.
• Guernsey to Southampton takes about 50 to 60 minutes.
• Jersey to Goodwood takes about 55 to 65 minutes.
• Jersey to London (Battersea) takes about 70 to 85 minutes.
• Isle of Man to Liverpool takes about 40 to 50 minutes.
• Isle of Man to Manchester takes about 45 to 55 minutes.
• Isle of Man to Glasgow takes about 50 to 65 minutes.

Read our journey times article for the method behind these numbers.

What do people fly for here?

Jersey and Guernsey are finance centres, and professional services, legal and trust work generate regular trips to London and the south coast, often as day trips. Southampton is the typical mainland base: customs notice there is around 12 hours for Channel Islands and Isle of Man flights. See same-day business trips and business helicopter charter.

The Isle of Man has a strong business and finance sector as well, and its calendar of motorsport events is internationally known; check dates and access with the organisers, and expect landing arrangements to be subject to permission and site suitability. Island-to-mainland connections to Liverpool and Manchester are the most common. Jersey and Guernsey also connect to Southampton and Goodwood for events like Glorious Goodwood.

For private and protected travel between islands and mainland, secure helicopter transport sets out how we plan a point-to-point flight.

Over-water flying and island planning

Sea crossings change the plan. We look at aircraft suited to over-water legs, usually twin-engine, with the fuel plan, alternates and weather checked at both ends. Island airfields close earlier in the evening than most mainland airports, Alderney has no fuel, and sea fog can delay a departure. If the flight is cancelled because of the weather, you pay nothing.

The helicopter choice guide explains the aircraft factors, and the UK heliports and airfields directory lists every site.

Neighbouring regions

The mainland end of most Channel Islands trips is the South Coast, and Isle of Man flights usually connect with North West England or Scotland. For Ireland, see Northern Ireland. The national guide is helicopter charter UK. In short, helicopter charter channel islands trips depend on customs notice, island opening hours and fuel, which we plan with you.

More places and events in the islands

Alderney has a city page of its own. The Isle of Man TT has an event page covering arrivals, slots and the road closures that shape the fortnight.