New Chicago Heliport Aims to Fill Downtown Air Service Void

CHICAGO (AP) — Owners of a new helicopter airport on Chicago’s West Side hope high-profile corporate clients will use it for a quick commute downtown from the city’s airports.

The Chicago Tribune reports the $11 million Vertiport Chicago sits on land that was once contaminated with arsenic and asbestos. An hourly rate tops $3,000 to rent a deluxe helicopter with two pilots, and company president Mike Conklin says they believe there’s enough demand.

Investors of the heliport see it as filling a void in downtown air service since Meigs Field airport was demolished by the city in 2003.

Conklin says helicopters from police, fire and emergency medical services will have priority use of the heliport and won’t pay landing fees. Officials say it’s also being used by a DHL Express helicopter, and space has been reserved for a helicopter sightseeing business.

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