Downtown Manhattan Heliport
| Company type | Public (city-owned) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation, Transportation |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, New York City , United States |
Area served | Lower Manhattan, New York City |
| Products | Helicopter landing and takeoff services, sightseeing tours |
| Owner | City of New York |
The Downtown Manhattan Heliport (also known as Downtown Manhattan/Wall St. Heliport) is a helicopter landing facility situated at Pier 6 along the East River within the Financial District of Lower Manhattan, New York City. In April 2025, the heliport was officially rebranded as the Downtown Skyport.
Originally constructed in 1960 by the Port of New York Authority on a site previously used as a cargo pier, the heliport underwent extensive reconstruction between 1983 and 1987. The Port Authority managed the facility until 2008, after which Saker Aviation assumed operational control of this city-owned asset. Notably, it was the first heliport in the United States to receive Federal Aviation Administration certification for scheduled passenger helicopter services. It also pioneered the installation of a semi-automatic firefighting foam system among public heliports and was the first to utilize a floating barge for aircraft parking. To this day, it remains New York City's sole heliport facilitating sightseeing helicopter tours.
Establishment and Initial Operations
During the mid-1950s, the Port of New York Authority proposed establishing six new heliports across the metropolitan region, including one near The Battery or Wall Street. The PA inaugurated the West 30th Street Heliport in 1956, with New York Airways initiating shuttle services to nearby airports. However, passenger volumes fell short of projections, largely due to competition from ground transportation options. Consequently, a heliport located in Lower Manhattan was considered a more feasible venture, prompting detailed feasibility assessments. The Downtown-Lower Manhattan Association endorsed the development of a heliport as part of revitalizing the East River waterfront.
On May 27, 1960, the New York City Board of Estimate approved both the plans and a 37-year lease for the location. Constructed by the Port Authority at a cost of $230,000, the original installation included a helicopter landing pad, an adjacent parking and loading zone, a single-story terminal building, and automobile parking facilities. The Downtown Manhattan Heliport officially commenced operations on December 8, 1960.
At its inauguration, New York Airways launched flights connecting to LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Scheduled services were halted in December 1969 due to elevated operating expenses associated with Boeing Vertol 107 helicopters but were reinstated in May 1971 utilizing Sikorsky S-61 helicopters; routes expanded to include Morristown Airport in New Jersey. In February 1977, New York Airways discontinued Wall Street operations after relocating to a rooftop heliport atop the Pan Am Building; following a fatal incident at that location in May of the same year, they did not resume Wall Street flights due to operational restrictions limiting passenger capacity there. Service recommenced in April 1978 from a temporary heliport established in Battery Park City.
Additionally, Island Helicopters operated scheduled commuter flights between Wall Street Heliport and Roosevelt Field Industrial Park on Long Island from April 1971 until service termination in April 1974.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, deterioration of the original wooden pier—constructed in 1888—resulted in partial closures of helicopter parking zones. In November 1978, safety concerns prompted diversion of President Jimmy Carter’s visit away from Wall Street Heliport. Structural deficiencies ultimately led to closure on September 16, 1983; operations were subsequently transferred to a temporary Battery Park City heliport.
Reconstruction
The cost to rebuild the heliport was projected at nearly $7 million. In 1983, the FAA initiated its National Prototype Heliport Demonstration and Development Program to highlight fully equipped heliports capable of operating under all weather conditions. The Wall Street Heliport, later renamed Downtown Manhattan Heliport, was among four sites chosen. The original pier was torn down and replaced with a new concrete platform of identical dimensions, including an additional barge for helicopter parking—designated as a floating structure to bypass extensive environmental review processes.
Trials involving a Microwave Landing System (MLS) took place at Battery Park City Heliport and near Wall Street; however, permanent MLS installation plans were abandoned after the Port Authority (PA) put the Red Hook transmitter location up for sale. The heliport became the first public facility to feature a semi-automatic fire protection foam system, which could be operated remotely from the terminal. On March 1, 1986, the PA secured a fresh 20-year lease agreement with the city. Flight diversions to Battery Park City ceased in September 1987, and the rebuilt heliport was officially dedicated on October 27, 1987. The $13 million project received $6 million in federal funding through the FAA program, with the PA contributing $3 million to ensure completion before the temporary Battery Park City lease expired.
After reopening, safety concerns arose due to seagulls dropping clams onto the heliport surface, posing hazards to helicopters and passengers. To mitigate this, the PA painted images of flying seagulls on various surfaces—a deterrent method previously utilized effectively by the U.S. Coast Guard at Floyd Bennett Field.
Between December 1989 and March 1990, Trump Air operated scheduled Sikorsky S-61 flights connecting with Trump Shuttle services at LaGuardia Airport. In 1990, Downtown Manhattan Heliport became the inaugural U.S. heliport certified under FAA Part 139 regulations for scheduled passenger helicopter operations.
Following eviction from East 34th Street Heliport due to unpaid rent in 1997, National Helicopter Corp. commenced sightseeing flights from Downtown Manhattan Heliport, adding approximately 50 weekday takeoffs and landings daily. Federal funding restrictions prevented the PA from limiting or banning sightseeing flights until 2008.
In March 2006, US Helicopter reinstated scheduled passenger service with hourly flights to JFK Airport; service to Newark Liberty International Airport began in December of that year. A TSA checkpoint was established at the heliport to facilitate baggage screening and security checks prior to departure, enabling passengers connecting through partner terminals to bypass airport procedures. This made Downtown Manhattan Heliport the first U.S. heliport "federalized" by TSA. US Helicopter discontinued all services in September 2009 due to financial challenges.
Change to private operator
The PA’s lease for the heliport site expired in August 2007 and was not renewed. While searching for a new operator, city authorities managed operations temporarily. Prior to appointing a new fixed-base operator, noise impact studies were conducted to evaluate capacity for flights diverted from West 30th Street Heliport. The incoming operator was also mandated to provide helicopter refueling services, which had been absent previously.
City officials selected FirstFlight as the new operator beginning November 1, 2008. This change resulted in a five-month halt of US Helicopter’s scheduled flights to EWR and JFK due to delays in TSA security clearance and disputes over rent. Service resumed in March 2009 following agreements brokered by city officials. FirstFlight later rebranded itself as Saker Aviation.
When sightseeing flights were prohibited at West 30th Street Heliport in April 2010, Downtown Manhattan became New York City's exclusive heliport for such tours. That year it handled 43,386 total flights, with sightseeing accounting for 41,540 operations. This surge generated noise and pollution complaints from residents and visitors near both Manhattan and Brooklyn sites. By 2014, traffic increased to 58,021 flights annually, with over 56,000 being sightseeing tours according to NYCEDC statistics.
In February 2016, an agreement between city officials and tour operators mandated reducing sightseeing flights by half from 2015 levels by January 2017, capping Saturday flights at 300 per day and banning tours on Sundays altogether. Consequently, the annual limit for tourist flights at the heliport was set at 29,651.
To mitigate flooding threats stemming from storms and rising sea levels, NYCEDC alongside the Mayor's Office of Climate Resiliency unveiled a master plan in 2021 focused on enhancing resilience in the Financial District and Seaport areas. The strategy includes reconstructing floodwalls along the East River waterfront and proposes relocating the heliport deck onto higher ground with floodgate access designed for emergency vehicle use.
In November 2023, Downtown Manhattan Heliport hosted initial piloted demonstration flights of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developed by Joby Aviation and Volocopter. That same month, NYCEDC issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a heliport operator encouraged to promote eVTOL adoption following FAA certification while developing necessary infrastructure for these aircraft types. The RFP also emphasized support for a marine micro-distribution center facilitating waterborne freight and last-mile deliveries using environmentally friendly methods such as cargo bikes.
In November 2024, Downtown Skyport LLC—a partnership between Skyports Infrastructure (operator of London Heliport) and Groupe ADP—was selected through the RFP process with operations slated to begin February 2025. The company took control in April 2025 and rebranded the facility as "Downtown Skyport."
Operations
The heliport mainly serves the financial district of lower Manhattan, including Wall Street, providing transportation for senior executives and urgent courier services. It is the preferred landing location for the President of the United States when visiting New York City. During his leadership at both Bloomberg L.P. and Johns Hopkins University, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg regularly utilized this facility to commute between the two institutions.
Managed by NYCEDC, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport facilitates charter flights to regional airports such as Newark Liberty International Airport, Teterboro Airport, and Morristown Municipal Airport. Additionally, it accommodates VIP flights and public aerial tours.
In the twelve months ending December 30, 2003, the heliport handled 10,002 aircraft movements, averaging about 27 per day. Of these operations, 90% were general aviation and the remaining 10% military.
Facilities
Situated at an elevation of , the heliport encompasses an area of , featuring a single helipad designated H1. This pad is constructed from concrete and can support helicopters weighing up to .
The infrastructure is built upon a concrete pier and a barge named Alice G. Neumann, which is moored perpendicular to the north side of the pier. The helipad is positioned at the far end of this pier, which also includes a vehicle parking area and a two-story sound-insulated terminal building. The terminal houses a waiting area, pilot lounge, administrative offices, and on its upper floor, a flight observation deck.
There are 13 helicopter parking bays available: 10 located on the barge and 3 on the pier itself. The helipad functions as the official Touch-down and Lift-off (TLOF) zone, while these parking spots serve dual roles for takeoff/landing as well as aircraft storage. The rotor blade clearance limits are up to on pier spaces and on barge spaces, with one barge spot accommodating blades up to . Notably, Downtown Manhattan Heliport was a pioneer in utilizing a barge for helicopter parking.
Accidents and incidents
- On June 14, 2005, a sightseeing Bell 206 Long Ranger helicopter crashed into the East River shortly after departure. Rescue efforts saved the pilot and six passengers; however, one individual sustained critical injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board attributed the crash to "inadequate preflight planning by the pilot," resulting in an attempted takeoff with an overloaded aircraft.
- On December 13, 2021, a Bell 429 operated by the New York Police Department encountered ground resonance during landing. To prevent collisions with nearby people and another helicopter close to the landing pad, the pilot executed an emergency forced landing that caused significant damage to the aircraft and injured the co-pilot.
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