Advance bookings for the new Isles of Scilly helicopter are now being taken online.

The new direct service to Tresco and St Mary's takes off on March 17 2020 and will be the only scheduled helicopter service for the Isles.

It offers the fastest service from the mainland to the islands and takes off from the new Penzance Heliport.

The trip takes just 15 minutes aboard a state-of-the-art, modern AW 139 helicopter.

The 15-seater will provide an accessible year-round service with up to 17 flights per day six days a week.

The new service will be provided by Sloane Helicopters – one of the country's leading onshore helicopter operators with 48 years' experience – in partnership with Penzance Heliport Ltd and Tresco Estate.

The near sea level heliport location, combined with the outstanding aircraft performance and safety characteristics, offers enhanced weather resilience and reliability, minimising disruption to passenger journeys.

The ticket launch marks a major step forward in the re-introduction of a helicopter service to the islands from Penzance, where a service operated from successfully for 48 years until October 2012.

Penzance Helicopters advise guests to book flights now to secure preferred slots before they sell out.

"The Penzance Helicopters service will be of great benefit to islanders and visitors to the Isles of Scilly, as well as bringing great benefits to the visitor economy of west Cornwall," says Jeremy Awenat, managing director of Sloane Helicopters.

He added: "The level of public support for the new helicopter service from Penzance and the construction of a new Penzance Heliport has been overwhelming. We’re very much looking forward to providing this exciting new direct air link to improve connectivity to the Isles of Scilly.”

Passengers can now book flights direct to Tresco or St Mary’s using the new reservations website with standard flight prices starting from £122.50 one-way.

For more information or to book flights, visit the new website at www.penzancehelicopters.co.uk.