A LONG-established aviation company based at Bournemouth Airport has secured a licence to operate pleasure flights.

The awarding of a much-prized Air Operator's Certificate will mean a major growth in business for Bliss Aviation.

The firm, run by chief executive officer, Gary Ellson, and managing director, Ollie Lehmann, has been operating for more than 20 years and was previously known as Bournemouth Helicopters.

"This is a huge step forward for us," said Gary.

"With the granting of the AOC by the Civil Aviation Authority, we can now offer a wide range of pleasure and leisure flights in our helicopters.

"It's good news for the business and for the local community.

"We know the market is buoyant and we're delighted to be starting an exciting new arm of the business."

The company already offers training flights, runs a flight training school from its premises and operates as an official handling agent for Bournemouth Airport, one of only two firms looking after general aviation.

Gary said: "All our bookings before have been trial lessons, so we have only really been a training facility. The AOC gives us a whole new dimension in our ability to take fare paying passengers.

"It also means that taking up two or three passengers at a time rather than one considerably reduces the cost of flying the helicopters so the cost per seat of a pleasure flight is actually very reasonable."

Gaining the CAA licence meant going through a very long and rigorous process and Gary and his team have wanted to secure it for many years.

Photography flights will also be available.

"We live in a stunning part of the world, so we are sure these will be very popular," said Ollie.

For now, Bliss Aviation will be able to offer what are known as A to A flights, which means taking off from and returning to the same location.

A to B flights are something the company would like to operate in due course.

There is also a bespoke VIP service where clients can effectively rent the whole helicopter.

In the company's R44 this starts at £300 for up to three passengers on a 20 minute flight.

In the EC120 with up to four passengers, 20 minutes, £400.

There's an online booking facility with prices starting at £100 per passenger for pleasure flights including views of Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth, Sandbanks and Poole. The new service starts on December 3.

Contact Bliss Aviation on 01202 590800 or visit

Blissaviation.com