Newly-established Estonian operator Kopterfy has commenced operations with an AgustaWestland AW109SP to serve the Baltic and Scandinavian markets. “Initially it is going to be an exclusively rotary wing operation,” says founder Ville Vellend. “But we do have plans to expand later, perhaps with an H125 and some Robinson R44s. We opted for the 109 because it suited our requirements well. We saw that there was a lot of demand for Tallinn to Helsinki, which this aircraft is ideal for, because it is a twin engine and you can transport up to six passengers. It is a lot cheaper to operate than an aircraft like the AW139 and is single pilot, which is good for us.”

Vellend says that the service is targeted at individuals and organisations who 'value their time and want to travel in style'. He wants to normalise the concept of private aviation and will initially focus on Finnish customers, although he believes that the Estonian market is set to expand.

“People have more money and less time,” he continues. “That's where we can help. There has not been this kind of service in Estonia before so we will make the best of it.”

Vellend has been involved with aviation for almost 10 years, principally in the aerial filming business. “When I heard about an opportunity to start a charter business, I was in straightaway. Our experienced pilot has flown more than 5,000 hours as a commercial helicopter pilot all over the world.”