Adams proposes upgrading downtown Manhattan heliport into electric aviation hub

By Ben Brachfeld Posted on November 13, 2023

Mayor Eric Adams wants downtown Manhattan’s heliport to become a hub for quieter and cleaner aerial transportation with new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, and will require the new operator of the helipad to install infrastructure to support them.

Saker Aviation’s contract to operate the FiDi helipad expired this year, and on Monday the mayor said any new vendor must commit to building out infrastructure for charging and other needs associated with electric aviation, which is quieter and more climate-friendly than a traditional helicopter.