Arrive at Cairns Amateurs in a helicopter
CORPORATE travel to this year's Cairns Amateurs is stepping up a notch with helicopter transfers being offered for the first time.
Great Barrier Reef Helicopters are providing the service from the city to the Cannon Park racecourse and return on Friday and Saturday. Its fleet of seven helicopters will be available with prices starting from $600 per helicopter flight.
GBR managing director Chris Cooper said as far as he was aware it was the first time helicopters were being used as transport for the event.
""We tried to do it last year but we ran out of time,`` he said.
Mr Cooper said the company had worked out a deal with Cairns Amateurs for the service.
""We imagine it will be popular with racegoers wanting to leave the track after the last race,`` he said.
Amateurs chief executive officer Graham Thornton said as part of the deal punters would be able to arrive or depart in style with flights running to and from the GBR city helipad, adjacent to the Marlin Marina.
""GBRH will be able to offer many clients the option of either an exclusive charter of one of their machines or the opportunity to book individual seats on one of the flights,`` he said.
""It is expected that corporate clients who would have traditionally travelled via limousine to the event will be particularly interested in utilising this service.``
The landing area at the racetrack will be in the middle of the dog track, directly opposite the main grandstand.
Race stewards have stipulated that all flights prior to the commencement of racing must be complete by 45 minutes before the start of the first race and return flights cannot start until 15 minutes after the completion of the last race.
""This is to avoid any issues with horses becoming stressed by the noise of the helicopters,`` Mr Thornton said.
Mr Cooper said all seven helicopters would be available for the return journeys in the afternoon.
""After the last race is finished there will be limited opportunities for return flights because of the light,`` he said.
""We will be using all seven helicopters which should make quite a spectacle. Depending upon the light we might be able to offer a second return journey.``
Flights can be booked on 4040 0300 or 1300 FLY GBR.
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