Heliports of New York City
NYC – Heliports are vitally important to New York City. They help connect businesses and professionals to the other areas of New York and the surrounding cities and states. For this reason, NYC has three public-use heliports. The first heliport is located at West 30th Street in Manhattan. The second heliport is at East 34th Street, and the third is at Pier 6 in lower Manhattan. Of course, it’s no mystery why the public-use heliports are in Manhattan. Manhattan contains most of New York’s industrial industries, including transportation, warehouses, manufacturing, and utilities. They’re also critically important for New York City’s emergency response services.
Heliports Support Tourists and Businesses
In addition to those critical services, the heliports support tourism. Air tourism companies are estimated to conduct more than 42,000 sightseeing flights annually. Those flights are directly responsible for more than 100 jobs at those air tourism companies and $11 million in earnings. It’s also estimated that non-local tourists spend four times more than local tourists when visiting the city. When it comes to the business owners and executives in the area, they rate the need for heliports as high or very high, and in 2010, they accounted for 35,000 passengers.
Manhattan’s Three Heliports Generate Direct Revenue for the City
The three heliports in Manhattan generate a combined $2.7 million for Manhattan in lease payments each year.
- West 30th Street – $797,000
- East 34th Street – $675,000
- Downtown Manhattan – $1,300,000
West 30th Street
The West 30th Street Heliport (JRA) was first activated in 1956 with two helipads. Today, it has space for 11 helicopters. Eight can fit on the wharf, and three can land on a barge. It’s the oldest heliport in NYC. It is open to the public and managed by the Hudson River Park Trust. The heliport resides on 1.6 acres. JRA is the only heliport of the three in Manhattan that’s always open. Pilots can land and refuel at this heliport, but no maintenance or oxygen service is available. The heliport is primarily used for corporate and charter services. However, medical services, law enforcement, and government sectors also use it. JRA averages 40 aircraft operations a day. Eighty-five percent is estimated to be air taxis. Fourteen percent is transient general aviation operations, and less than 1 percent is military. The heliport no longer allows tourist flights.
Communication Frequencies
- CTAF/UNICOM – 123.05
- New York Approach – 127.85 or 126.05
- New York Departure – 127.85 or 126.05
East 34th Street
The East 34th Street Heliport (6N5) is located on the East River Greenway, about five miles southwest of LaGuardia. It’s often referred to as the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street. This heliport opened in 1972 and was previously the East 34th Street ferry landing. It was designed to replace the Pan Am Building Heliport that closed in 1968. It’s owned by the Economic Development Corp and is operated by Atlantic Aviation. It’s estimated that the heliport performs 50 aircraft operations a day. Ninety-six percent of the operations are air taxis. Three percent is transient general aviation, and 2 percent is military. There is A1 fuel available as well as tie-downs. The heliport is open from 8 AM until 8 PM, Monday through Friday. It is closed on Saturday and Sunday. The amenities include Wi-Fi, crew cars, a lounge, limousine arrangements, a DCA access gateway, and international newspapers.
Communication Frequencies
- CTAF/UNICOM – 123.075
- New York Approach – 120.8
- New York Departure – 120.8
Pier 6, Lower Manhattan
The Pier 6 Lower Manhattan Heliport (JRB) is known as the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DHM) or the Wall Street Heliport. It’s located next to Manhattan Helicopters, Governors Island Ferry, and One New York Plaza. The heliport has A fuel available. An estimated 86 aircraft operations are daily, with 85 percent of those operations being air taxis. Fourteen percent is transient general aviation, and less than 1 percent is military. It’s operated by Saker Aviation Services and is considered one of the most advanced heliports in the world. The heliport is the only one in the United States that’s part 139 certified, and it can accommodate helicopters that weigh up to 50,000 pounds. The pier measures 550 feet by 85 feet, and the additional barge measures 90 feet by 300 feet. The Pier 6 Lower Manhattan Heliport can accommodate up to 12 helicopters. The state-of-the-art terminal contains a passenger waiting area, a VIP lounge, and a tourist gift shop. The heliport is open from 7 AM until 10 PM during the week. On Saturday, it’s open from 7 AM until 7 PM; on Sunday, it’s open from 7 AM until 5 PM.
Communication Frequencies
- CTAF/UNICOM – 123.05
- New York Approach – 120.8
- New York Departure – 120.8
Downtown Manhattan Heliport Sustainable Hub
In November 2023, it was announced that the Downtown Manhattan Heliport is in the works to become a hub for sustainable transportation and local deliveries. The goal is to make the airport a hub for electric flights. Additionally, it will become a hub for last-mile freight and marine deliveries. The hope is that it reduces the reliance on fossil fuels by making it possible to complete deliveries using electric vehicles, like bikes. The new diagram for the heliport includes a cargo bike route, a freight staging area, and infrastructure to support the charging of electric bicycles and helicopters. The heliport will also help train people for aviation jobs while creating green jobs.
The city of Manhattan, tourists, locals, and businessmen all rely on Manhattan’s three heliports. They help generate revenue for Manhattan and help business professionals and owners travel smoothly between locations in and outside New York. In the future, they’ll also help lower greenhouse emissions and facilitate smoother deliveries while training people for new and exciting jobs in aviation, especially at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport.