London helicopter statistics

The CAA publishes two datasets, CAP 1455 (daily counts, 2007 to 2026) and CAP 1456 (a graphical summary). The CAA says the statistics are for monitoring trends and that values may not always match because of how operations are recorded.

Movements per year

2007 and 2012 are from a CAA statement reported by Kingston University; 2019 to 2025 are from CAA CAP 1456. Check the CAA files before quoting.

The detail

Total London helicopter movements (London CTR + London City CTR), annual

16,740 Source

Total London helicopter movements, annual

16,237 Source

Total London helicopter movements, annual

15,366 Source

Total London helicopter movements, annual

15,208 Source

Total London helicopter movements, January to June only (year to date)

6,926 (Jan 726, Feb 734, Mar 1,116, Apr 1,289, May 1,462, Jun 1,599) Source

Monthly movements 2024 (Jan to Dec)

906, 858, 1194, 1233, 1409, 1903, 2032, 1305, 1266, 1299, 1115, 846 Source

Peak month (highest monthly total in 2022 to 2025 table)

July each year: 2,022 (2022), 1,779 or 1,985 (2023, see note), 2,032 (2024), 1,968 (2025) Source

Annual movements 2020

13,381 Source

Annual movements 2021

15,418 Source

Jan 2026 breakdown (CAP 1455 monthly total row)

Total 726; single-engine 89; twin-engine 637; on any designated route 99; on H4 41; direct (not on a route) 822 [column overlaps, see note]; Police 212; HEMS 79; Battersea arrivals/departures 186 Source

Feb 2026 breakdown (CAP 1455 monthly total row)

Total 734; single 124; twin 610; route 137; H4 82; direct 776; Police 192; HEMS 81; Battersea 170 Source

Apr 2026 breakdown (CAP 1455)

Total 1,289; single 269; twin 1,020; route 234; H4 122; direct 1,510; Police 317; HEMS 145; Battersea 286 Source

May 2026 breakdown (CAP 1455)

Total 1,462; single 333; twin 1,129; route 311; H4 164; direct 1,652; Police 309; HEMS 134; Battersea 365 Source

What CAP 1455 records (type split)

Daily counts of helicopter flights in the London (Heathrow) and London City CTRs: total; four time bands (0001-0559, 0600-1259, 1300-1959, 2000-2400); single-engine; twin-engine; flights on any helicopter route; flights on H4 (Thames, Barnes to Isle of Dogs); direct flights not on a route; twin-engine Police; twin-engine HEMS; arrivals/departures at Battersea (London Heliport) Source

Split NOT given by CAA data

No split into private / commercial / training / media / military. Only single v twin, time of day, route v direct, Police, HEMS, Battersea. Not stated: busiest routes other than the H4 column; noise complaints data Source

CAA statement on data quality

Statistics are for monitoring general trends; numerical values will not always match because of how helicopter operations are recorded Source

London's Air Ambulance patients treated

2,058 patients in 2024 (51 more than 2023); average 6 per day; 16 patients flown to hospital, rest by road ambulance; most missions Tower Hamlets and Westminster, then Lambeth and Southwark Source