In a decision that has apparently upset many of the existing local heliport opertators, the EDC has chosen FirstFlight Inc. to operate the downtown heliport located near Wall
Street and the South Street Seaport. FirstFlight, which is based in Elmira, NY, has reportedly never operated a similar heliport in the metropolitan area or any large city. For this reason, local heliport operators are scrutinizing the selection method used by the EDC, claiming that in this case political considerations may have unfairly trumped the professed bidding procedures. Although FirstFlight must still be approved by the Franchise and Concession Review Committee and the comptroller’s office, the EDC is no longer accepting bids for the contract, and according to EDC spokesperson Janel Patterson, a winner has already been chosen. Local heliport operators that were passed over for the bid include, Linden Airport Management Corporation, which operates a municipal airport in New Jersey; and Air Pegasus, which currently operates the contraversial 30th Street Heliport. Click here to read the comprehensive article in the NY Times.

Labels: 30th Street Heliport, Downtown Heliport, NYEDC, Operator