Heligoland Airport

Heligoland Airport
Flughafen Helgoland-Düne
IATA: HGLICAO: EDXH
GWT
Location of the airport in Schleswig-Holstein
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Helgoland AirService GmbH
Serves Heligoland, Germany
Location Düne
Elevation AMSL 2 m / 6 ft
Website http://www.flughafen-helgoland.de
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
15/33 480 1,575 concrete
3/21 371 1,217 concrete
6/24 258 846 concrete
Helipads
Number Length Surface
m ft
H  ??  ?? concrete
Source: official website

Heligoland Airport (IATA: HGLICAO: EDXH) is a small airport on the German island of Düne, the smaller of the two isles of the Heligoland archipelago in the North Sea, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) from the mainland. It is licensed for aeroplanes up to 5,700 kilograms (13,000 lb) maximum takeoff weight and helicopters up to 10,000 kilograms (22,000 lb).

Due to the limited length of the runways and adverse wind conditions, the approach to and departure from the airport is demanding, requiring experience and good preparation from pilots. For commercial flights, prior training is mandatory.

Contents

History

The first military airfield on Düne existed during World War II when Heligoland had been fortified.[1]

In 1962, the airport was rebuilt into the form it still has today.[1]

From 2005 to 2006, the main runway (direction 15/33) was extended from 400 m to 480 m for compliance with EU regulations on commercial air traffic.[1]

Airlines and destinations

Airlines Destinations
Air Hamburg Hamburg
Ostfriesische Lufttransport Bremerhaven, Heide-Büsum

Access

A ferryboat service connects Düne to the Heligoland main island; there is a single taxi that services the short distance between the airport and ferryboat terminals.

In general, motor vehicles and bicycles are prohibited on the archipelago.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Die Geschichte von Helgoland" (in German). http://www.edxh.de/history.html. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
This article incorporates information from the German Wikipedia.