Airlink (helicopter shuttle service)

Airlink

Airlink Sikorsky S-61N at Gatwick
Founded	1978
Commenced operations	9 June 1978
Ceased operations	6 February 1986
Fleet size	One Sikorsky S-61
Destinations	Gatwick Airport London Heathrow Airport
Parent company	British Caledonian Airways and British Airways Helicopters

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"^[1] 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.^[2] No similar service has operated between the airports since Airlink's cessation.