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{{Short description|Defunct Finnish airline}}

{{Infobox Airline |
{{Infobox Airline |
airline=Copterline|
airline=Copterline|
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callsign=COPTERLINE|
callsign=COPTERLINE|
parent=|
parent=|
founded=2002|
founded=1990|
ceased=2010|
ceased=2010 a March 2016|
key_people=|
key_people=|
headquarters=[[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]|
headquarters=[[Helsinki]], [[Finland]]|
Line 19: Line 21:
destinations=2|
destinations=2|
}}
}}
[[Image:Helikopteri Copterline.jpg|thumb|Copterline Helicopter taking off from [[Helsinki-Malmi airport]]]]
⚫
'''Copterline Oy''' was [[Finland]]'s largest [[helicopter]] [[airline]]. In 2004 the company ferried over 75,000 passengers. On December 19, 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between [[Helsinki]] and [[Tallinn]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today | url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Copterline+to+suspend+regular+flights+between+Helsinki+and+Tallinn+from+today/1135242197614 | work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | publisher= | date=2008-12-19 | accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref> On 15 February 2010, Copterline filed for bankruptcy, citing inability to keep the company profitable.<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline Files for Bankruptcy | url=http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/copterline_files_for_bankruptcy_1447410.html | work=[[Yle]] | publisher= | date=2010-02-15 | accessdate=2010-02-15}}</ref> Its head office was located on the grounds of [[Helsinki-Malmi Airport]] in [[Helsinki]].<ref>[http://www.copterline.com/en Home page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523113936/http://www.copterline.com/en |date=2009-05-23 }}." Copterline. Retrieved on 25 February 2010.</ref> In 2011, Line Support Oy, founded by mostly the same group as Copterline Oy, announced a resumption of service from September, operated by its Estonian subsidiary [[Copterline]] OÜ. On 9 September 2011, the first commercial flights were undertaken.


[[File:Helikopteri Copterline.jpg|thumb|Copterline helicopter taking off from [[Helsinki-Malmi airport]]]] [[File:Copterline_Sikorsky_S-76C+_(OH-HCI)_at_Helsinki_Malmi.jpg|thumb|Copterline's [[Sikorsky S-76C+]] (OH-HCI) at Helsinki-Malmi]]
==Services==
⚫
Copterline used to maintain hourly passenger flights across the [[Gulf of Finland]] between [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] ([[Helsinki Hernesaari Heliport]]) and [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] ([[Tallinn Linnahall Heliport]]) between 07:00–20:00 (14 round trips), 9:00–17:00 on Saturdays (9 round trips) and 10:00–16:00 on Sundays (7 round trips). The trip took 18 minutes, and the helicopters could carry 12 passengers on each flight.


⚫
'''Copterline Oy''' was [[Finland]]'s largest [[helicopter]] [[airline]] established on 15 October 1990 as '''Copter Action''' and renamed to Copterline in 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/copter-action/ | title = Copter Action | publisher = Airline History | access-date = 9 October 2021}}</ref> In 2004 the company ferried over 75,000 passengers. On December 19, 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between [[Helsinki]] and [[Tallinn]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today | url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Copterline+to+suspend+regular+flights+between+Helsinki+and+Tallinn+from+today/1135242197614 | work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | date=2008-12-19 | access-date=2009-01-19}}</ref> On 15 February 2010, Copterline filed for bankruptcy, citing inability to keep the company profitable.<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline Files for Bankruptcy | url=http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/02/copterline_files_for_bankruptcy_1447410.html | work=[[Yle]] | date=2010-02-15 | access-date=2010-02-15}}</ref> Its head office was located on the grounds of [[Helsinki-Malmi Airport]] in [[Helsinki]].<ref>[http://www.copterline.com/en Home page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523113936/http://www.copterline.com/en |date=2009-05-23 }}." Copterline. Retrieved on 25 February 2010.</ref> In 2011, Line Support Oy, founded by mostly the same group as Copterline Oy, announced a resumption of service from September, operated by its Estonian subsidiary Copterline OÜ. On 9 September 2011, the first commercial flights were undertaken.
⚫
In August 2006, Copterline sold its last remaining S-76 and focused on charter flights. Copterline resumed the route between Helsinki and Tallinn on April 9, 2008, with a new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter. The company was planning a new terminal in Helsinki.

==History==
Copterline acquired '''Helikopteripalvelu''' in 1999, the oldest Finnish company in the business, and began offering services in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/100997/copterline-returns-to-tallinn-helsinki-route|title=Copterline Returns to Tallinn-Helsinki Route|date=11 August 2011|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://airlinehistory.co.uk/airline/helikopteripalvelu/ | title = Helikopteripalvelu | publisher = Airline History | access-date = 10 October 2021}}</ref>

⚫
Copterline used to maintain hourly passenger flights across the [[Gulf of Finland]] between [[Helsinki]], [[Finland]] ([[Helsinki Hernesaari Heliport]]) and [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]] ([[Tallinn Linnahall Heliport]]) between 07:00–20:00 (14 round trips), 9:00–17:00 on Saturdays (9 round trips) and 10:00–16:00 on Sundays (7 round trips). The trip took 18 minutes, and the helicopters could carry 12 passengers on each flight.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Role of Baltic Local Authorities in Responding to Major Oil Spills: Helsinki (Finland), 9-10 February 2004 : Proceedings : International Conference |date=2005 |publisher=Council of Europe Pub. |isbn=978-92-871-5717-1 |page=51 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a1cWAAAAYAAJ |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fredriksson v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Inc., CIV. NO. 3:08CV450 (WWE) |url=https://casetext.com/case/fredriksson-v-sikorsky-aircraft-corp-2 |website=casetext.com}}</ref>

On 10 August 2005, [[Copterline Flight 103]] crashed while flying between Tallinn and Helsinki, three kilometers south of [[Aegna]] island. All 14 people on board died. After that tragic accident, the company closed the route.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/100997/copterline-returns-to-tallinn-helsinki-route|title=Copterline Returns to Tallinn-Helsinki Route|date=11 August 2011|access-date=11 July 2019}}</ref>

⚫
In August 2006, Copterline sold its last remaining S-76 and focused on charter flights resuming the route between Helsinki and Tallinn on April 9, 2008, with a new [[AgustaWestland AW139]] helicopter. The company was planning a new terminal in Helsinki.


In August 2008, a second AW139 entered into the fleet, and started operating in the same route. Kaj Takolander became CEO of the company.
In August 2008, a second AW139 entered into the fleet, and started operating in the same route. Kaj Takolander became CEO of the company.


On December 19, 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between Helsinki and Tallinn and was now looking at the possibility of alternative uses for its helicopters, otherwise, it will sell or lease its aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today | url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Copterline+to+suspend+regular+flights+between+Helsinki+and+Tallinn+from+today/1135242197614 | work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | publisher= | date=2008-12-19 | accessdate=2009-01-19}}</ref>
On 19 December 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between Helsinki and Tallinn and was now looking at the possibility of alternative uses for its helicopters, otherwise, it will sell or lease its aircraft.<ref>{{cite web | title=Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today | url=http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Copterline+to+suspend+regular+flights+between+Helsinki+and+Tallinn+from+today/1135242197614 | work=[[Helsingin Sanomat]] | date=2008-12-19 | access-date=2009-01-19}}</ref>


As of September 2011 the Copterline website is back in service with a flight schedule advertising flights up until the Christmas period. The new service is offered by the Estonian company Copterline OÜ with an [[AgustaWestland AW139]] helicopter owned and operated by the Finnish company FastClass Oy. The 2011 service offers 5 round trips on weekdays with no scheduled weekend service.
As of September 2011 the Copterline website was back in service with a flight schedule advertising flights up until the Christmas period. The new service was operated by the Estonian company '''Copterline OÜ''' with an [[AgustaWestland AW139]] helicopter owned and operated by the Finnish company '''FirstClass''' Oy. The 2011 service offered 5 round trips on weekdays with no scheduled weekend service.

Copterline has not been operating on the Helsinki-Tallinn route recently. The airline was planning to open the route again in August 2013, but these plans were postponed and later cancelled. The company currently provides helicopter services to the oil and energy sector on the North Sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hs.fi/ulkomaat/a1401763541347|title=Lama lykkää Helsingin ja Tallinnan välistä kopteriliikennettä|work=Helsingin Sanomat|language=fi|date=3 June 2014|access-date=25 February 2015}}</ref>

In March 2016, Copterline OÜ filed for bankruptcy for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://majandus24.postimees.ee/3615585/copterline-laks-taas-pankrotti|title=Copterline läks taas pankrotti|date=11 March 2016|work=Postimees}}</ref>


==Incidents and accidents==
==Incidents and accidents==
{{See also|Copterline Flight 103}}
{{See also|Copterline Flight 103}}


In spring 2004, the company had been restricted from commercial flights in bad weather conditions, due to concerns about pilot qualifications, but the restriction has since been lifted.
* In spring 2004, the company had been restricted from commercial flights in bad weather conditions, due to concerns about pilot qualifications, but the restriction had since been lifted.


On August 10, 2005 [[Copterline Flight 103|Flight 103]], a [[Sikorsky S-76]], crashed into the sea near Tallinn, Estonia, three to four minutes after taking off. The craft was carrying 14 people, all of whom were killed: six [[Finland|Finnish]], four [[Estonians|Estonian]] and two American passengers, and two Finnish crew members. The disaster was caused by the failure of the power steering system of the American-built helicopter. According to Estonian authorities, no [[distress signal]]s of any kind were received. However, after examining the helicopter's [[black box]] it has been reported that the pilots had attempted sending one, but wasn't received because an air traffic controller in Tallinn Airport was reading back a landing permit. The black box also revealed that the pilots had remained calm and attempted a safe landing in a "by the book" fashion.
* On 10 August 2005 [[Copterline Flight 103|Flight 103]], a [[Sikorsky S-76]], crashed into the sea near Tallinn, Estonia, three to four minutes after taking off. The craft was carrying 14 people, all of whom were killed: six [[Finland|Finnish]], four [[Estonians|Estonian]] and two American passengers, and two Finnish crew members. The disaster was caused by the failure of the flight control system of the American-built helicopter. According to Estonian authorities, no [[distress signal]]s of any kind were received. However, after examining the helicopter's [[black box]] it has been reported that the pilots had attempted sending one, but wasn't received because an air traffic controller in Tallinn Airport was reading back a landing permit. The black box also revealed that the pilots had remained calm and attempted a safe landing in a "by the book" fashion.


The cause of the accident was the failure of the power flying control system. [[Plasma coating]] on the pistons of the power flying control system had flaked off and blocked the return valve, causing the aircraft to lose its maneuverability. It was revealed in 2007 that the failed component was inside a system that Copterline did not have the authority to service or even open. A periodic leak test that could have revealed the problem was omitted. Furthermore, the emergency floats failed to operate. The manufacturer, [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Sikorsky]], confirmed that damages have been paid to the families of the casualties, but a court case between Copterline and Sikorsky is still pending.
The cause of the accident was failure of the power flight control system. [[Plasma coating]] on the pistons of the power flight control system had flaked off and blocked the return valve, causing the aircraft to lose its maneuverability. It was revealed in 2007 that the failed component was inside a system that Copterline did not have the authority to service or even open. A periodic leak test that could have revealed the problem was omitted. Furthermore, the emergency floats failed to operate. The manufacturer, [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Sikorsky]], confirmed that damages have been paid to the families of the casualties, but a court case between Copterline and Sikorsky is still pending.


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
[[File:Copterline.jpg|thumb|Copterline [[AW-139]]]]
The Copterline fleet consists of nine helicopters and several rescue craft.
The Copterline fleet consisted of nine helicopters and several rescue craft.


Copterline uses four [[Eurocopter EC 135]] helicopters for emergency and medical service operations from three different base: [[Oulu]], Pete got moved from [[Vaasa]] to [[Tampere]] and [[Varkaus]].
Copterline used four [[Eurocopter EC 135]] helicopters for emergency and medical service operations from three different bases: [[Oulu]], [[Tampere]] (formerly [[Vaasa]]), and [[Varkaus]].


==References==
==References==
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{{Commonscat|Copterline}}
{{Commonscat|Copterline}}
* [http://www.fast-class.com/]
* [http://www.fast-class.com/]
* [http://www.fast-class.com/fi] {{fi icon}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110926211029/http://www.fast-class.com/fi] {{in lang|fi}}


{{Airlines of Finland}}
{{Airlines of Finland}}
{{Tallinn landmarks}}
{{Tallinn landmarks}}
{{helicopter airlines}}
{{helicopter airlines}}
{{coord|60|08|52|N|024|55|28|E|type:landmark_region:FI-ES|display=title}}
{{Coord|60|08|52|N|024|55|28|E|type:landmark_region:FI-ES|display=title}}


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[[Category:2002 establishments in Finland]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Finland]]
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[[Category:Airlines established in 2002]]
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[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Finland]]
[[Category:Defunct airlines of Finland]]
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[[Category:Airlines established in 1990]]
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[[Category:Airlines disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Finnish companies established in 1990]]
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[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Finland]]
[[Category:Defunct helicopter airlines]]
[[Category:Defunct helicopter airlines]]
[[Category:Transport in Tallinn]]
[[Category:Transport in Helsinki]]

Latest revision as of 10:17, 27 February 2024

Copterline
IATA ICAO Call sign
– AAQ COPTERLINE
Founded1990
Ceased operations2010 a March 2016
HubsHernesaari Heliport
Fleet size9
Destinations2
HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
Copterline helicopter taking off from Helsinki-Malmi airport
Copterline's Sikorsky S-76C+ (OH-HCI) at Helsinki-Malmi

Copterline Oy was Finland's largest helicopter airline established on 15 October 1990 as Copter Action and renamed to Copterline in 2000.[1] In 2004 the company ferried over 75,000 passengers. On December 19, 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between Helsinki and Tallinn.[2] On 15 February 2010, Copterline filed for bankruptcy, citing inability to keep the company profitable.[3] Its head office was located on the grounds of Helsinki-Malmi Airport in Helsinki.[4] In 2011, Line Support Oy, founded by mostly the same group as Copterline Oy, announced a resumption of service from September, operated by its Estonian subsidiary Copterline OÜ. On 9 September 2011, the first commercial flights were undertaken.

History

[edit]

Copterline acquired Helikopteripalvelu in 1999, the oldest Finnish company in the business, and began offering services in 2000.[5][6]

Copterline used to maintain hourly passenger flights across the Gulf of Finland between Helsinki, Finland (Helsinki Hernesaari Heliport) and Tallinn, Estonia (Tallinn Linnahall Heliport) between 07:00–20:00 (14 round trips), 9:00–17:00 on Saturdays (9 round trips) and 10:00–16:00 on Sundays (7 round trips). The trip took 18 minutes, and the helicopters could carry 12 passengers on each flight.[7][8]

On 10 August 2005, Copterline Flight 103 crashed while flying between Tallinn and Helsinki, three kilometers south of Aegna island. All 14 people on board died. After that tragic accident, the company closed the route.[9]

In August 2006, Copterline sold its last remaining S-76 and focused on charter flights resuming the route between Helsinki and Tallinn on April 9, 2008, with a new AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter. The company was planning a new terminal in Helsinki.

In August 2008, a second AW139 entered into the fleet, and started operating in the same route. Kaj Takolander became CEO of the company.

On 19 December 2008, Copterline confirmed that it had ceased its scheduled service between Helsinki and Tallinn and was now looking at the possibility of alternative uses for its helicopters, otherwise, it will sell or lease its aircraft.[10]

As of September 2011 the Copterline website was back in service with a flight schedule advertising flights up until the Christmas period. The new service was operated by the Estonian company Copterline OÜ with an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter owned and operated by the Finnish company FirstClass Oy. The 2011 service offered 5 round trips on weekdays with no scheduled weekend service.

Copterline has not been operating on the Helsinki-Tallinn route recently. The airline was planning to open the route again in August 2013, but these plans were postponed and later cancelled. The company currently provides helicopter services to the oil and energy sector on the North Sea.[11]

In March 2016, Copterline OÜ filed for bankruptcy for the second time.[12]

Incidents and accidents

[edit]
See also: Copterline Flight 103
  • In spring 2004, the company had been restricted from commercial flights in bad weather conditions, due to concerns about pilot qualifications, but the restriction had since been lifted.
  • On 10 August 2005 Flight 103, a Sikorsky S-76, crashed into the sea near Tallinn, Estonia, three to four minutes after taking off. The craft was carrying 14 people, all of whom were killed: six Finnish, four Estonian and two American passengers, and two Finnish crew members. The disaster was caused by the failure of the flight control system of the American-built helicopter. According to Estonian authorities, no distress signals of any kind were received. However, after examining the helicopter's black box it has been reported that the pilots had attempted sending one, but wasn't received because an air traffic controller in Tallinn Airport was reading back a landing permit. The black box also revealed that the pilots had remained calm and attempted a safe landing in a "by the book" fashion.

The cause of the accident was failure of the power flight control system. Plasma coating on the pistons of the power flight control system had flaked off and blocked the return valve, causing the aircraft to lose its maneuverability. It was revealed in 2007 that the failed component was inside a system that Copterline did not have the authority to service or even open. A periodic leak test that could have revealed the problem was omitted. Furthermore, the emergency floats failed to operate. The manufacturer, Sikorsky, confirmed that damages have been paid to the families of the casualties, but a court case between Copterline and Sikorsky is still pending.

Fleet

[edit]
Copterline AW-139

The Copterline fleet consisted of nine helicopters and several rescue craft.

Copterline used four Eurocopter EC 135 helicopters for emergency and medical service operations from three different bases: Oulu, Tampere (formerly Vaasa), and Varkaus.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Copter Action". Airline History. Retrieved 9 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today". Helsingin Sanomat. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  3. ^ "Copterline Files for Bankruptcy". Yle. 2010-02-15. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  4. ^ Home page Archived 2009-05-23 at the Wayback Machine." Copterline. Retrieved on 25 February 2010.
  5. ^ "Copterline Returns to Tallinn-Helsinki Route". 11 August 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Helikopteripalvelu". Airline History. Retrieved 10 October 2021.
  7. ^ The Role of Baltic Local Authorities in Responding to Major Oil Spills: Helsinki (Finland), 9-10 February 2004 : Proceedings : International Conference. Council of Europe Pub. 2005. p. 51. ISBN 978-92-871-5717-1.
  8. ^ "Fredriksson v. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Inc., CIV. NO. 3:08CV450 (WWE)". casetext.com.
  9. ^ "Copterline Returns to Tallinn-Helsinki Route". 11 August 2011. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  10. ^ "Copterline to suspend regular flights between Helsinki and Tallinn from today". Helsingin Sanomat. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  11. ^ "Lama lykkää Helsingin ja Tallinnan välistä kopteriliikennettä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 3 June 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
  12. ^ "Copterline läks taas pankrotti". Postimees. 11 March 2016.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Copterline.

60°08′52″N 024°55′28″E / 60.14778°N 24.92444°E / 60.14778; 24.92444

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