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Heligoland: Flight connections are at a standstill until July - only sea routes remain!
Helgoland can currently only be reached by ship as air traffic is suspended due to a lack of permits. Find out more about the travel options and the background.
Heligoland: Flight connections are at a standstill until July - only sea routes remain!
Heligoland, the enchanting North Sea island, is very popular with holidaymakers, especially in the summer season. Around 50 kilometers from the coast, it attracts not only sun worshipers but also nature lovers with its unique offerings. But this year the island is faced with an unexpected challenge: air traffic has been temporarily suspended.
Ostfriesische Flug-dienst GmbH (OFD) has suspended its scheduled flights to Heligoland until further notice as the new aircraft, which were originally scheduled to go into operation at the start of the 2025 season, have to wait for approval from the Federal Aviation Authority (LBA). The modern Tecnam P2006T aircraft, which are supposed to replace the old Britten-Norman BN-2 Islanders, are not yet allowed to start. While the retraining of the crews has already been completed and the new machines have been delivered, travelers will have to switch to boat travel for the time being. Aerointernational reports that a return to the old fleet is not possible due to the reduced inventory of spare parts.
Arrival by ship
The route to the island is now only possible by sea. Several ships leave the port of Cuxhaven every day to take holidaymakers to Heligoland. The seaside resort ship “Helgoland” takes around 2.5 hours for the crossing, while the catamaran “Nordlicht” and the “Halunder Jet”, which depart from Hamburg, each take around 75 minutes. However, during peak season, travelers should be prepared for longer waiting times as tickets may be in high demand.
Helgoland still remains a worthwhile destination for tourists. Some shipping companies offer regular connections during the summer season and make the journey as pleasant as possible. There are usually year-round flight connections, but this is currently not possible due to technical conditions. On the Heligoland Tourism Service website There is further information and support when traveling and finding accommodation.
The future of flights
The OFD expects to receive LBA approval by the end of July 2025 in order to be able to resume air traffic to Helgoland. Until then, water travel remains the only way to reach the island. Although the new Tecnam P2006T offers less space - only four passengers including pilot compared to ten seats in the old aircraft - their introduction in the future is seen as necessary to meet the high demands on the island's airstrip.
No matter how the situation develops, Helgoland is and remains a creative travel destination that is worth discovering. The mixture of fantastic nature, soothing sea and the unique island location attracts numerous visitors every year. While the sea route requires a little tact, the land excursion is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience.