New figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority have revealed the scale of helicopter traffic at last month's Glastonbury Festival — with 366 private flights recorded in and out of Worthy Farm between 25 and 29 June.

The data covers only private charter flights — not media or emergency services — and reflects the growing number of VIPs and high-end glampers arriving by air rather than braving the traffic or train queues.

According to operators:

• 318 movements were recorded at Windinglake Heliport in Evercreech, run by Helipad Ltd
• 48 movements took place at a separate site near West Pennard, used exclusively by guests of The Pop-Up Hotel

While most Glastonbury-goers were queueing at Castle Cary or stuck on the A361, a select few were touching down in style — and the contrast hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Monday was like Heathrow"

Locals say 2025 may have been the busiest year yet for air traffic.

"There were times where you could see five coming in one after another," said one Pilton resident. "It's never been this many. Monday was like Heathrow."

In 2024, a parish councillor counted 85 helicopter landings in a single day. This year's figures suggest that record may have been broken.

VIP flights, sky-high emissions

While the sight of choppers whirring over Worthy Farm turns heads, the carbon cost is even harder to ignore.

Based on standard emissions data for twin-engine VIP helicopters, the 366 flights are estimated to have generated 164.7 tonnes of CO₂ — more than the annual footprint of 35 average UK homes.

This doesn't account for longer routes, larger helicopters, or empty return legs — meaning the true total could be even higher.

Flights from Battersea to Worthy Farm

Chartering a helicopter to Glastonbury isn't new — but the options have expanded.

Popular 2025 routes included:

• London (Battersea) to Pilton: ~£13,000 return
• Manchester to Pilton: ~£12,500
• Bristol to Pilton: ~£3,000–£4,000
• Bath to Pilton: ~£6,000

Operators included GB Helicopters, Atlas Helicopters, Heli South West, Voler Aviation, Charter-A Ltd and Get Heli. Most flights landed at either Windinglake or the more exclusive Camp Kerala pad, used mainly by performers and premium guests.

A temporary air traffic control system — callsign Glastonbury Tower — was set up to manage the activity within a 3.5-nautical mile restricted zone.

Noise, nuisance, and divided opinion

Not everyone was impressed by the aerial buzz.

Last year, Pilton parish councillor Nick Hall raised concerns at Somerset Council over "the noise nuisance from helicopters" and criticised the lack of consultation with local parishes.

In 2024, Somerset Council confirmed only 11 official complaints were made — down from 41 in 2023 — and noted that air travel regulation falls under the Civil Aviation Authority.

"I live on the flight path and it was like Apocalypse Now all weekend," wrote one X user.

The real carbon culprit is on the ground

Despite the noise and the luxury, helicopters only make up a small slice of Glastonbury's overall environmental impact.

According to sustainability charity Julie's Bicycle, the festival's total carbon footprint is estimated at 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) — with 85% of that coming from audience travel alone.

Organisers: "We do not condone helicopters"

The rise in private air travel is at odds with Glastonbury's long-standing environmental ethos.

"We like to think of Glastonbury Festival as a laboratory for change," the organisers said.

"Guided by principles of environmental responsibility and social equality, we are working to implement long-lasting sustainable practices."

Since 2023, the festival has been powered entirely by renewable energy and palm oil-free HVO biofuel. Worthy Farm's own solar array and biogas plant provide power for many production areas, with a wind turbine powering food stalls in Carhenge. Over 65,000 people arrive by coach, train or bike each year, and a new carbon travel calculator was introduced in 2024 to raise awareness.

A spokesperson added:

"To encourage Festival-goers to arrive by bus, our combined Festival and coach ticket packages are available to buy before standard entry tickets. Our sustainable travel initiatives have helped hundreds of thousands of ticket-holders travel to the Festival by bike or public transport. Each year, more than 40,000 ticket-holders take advantage of these. We run regular free shuttle buses to and from Castle Cary railway station throughout the Festival."

On plastic, Glastonbury banned single-use bottles in 2019, introduced compostable crisp packets in 2022, and outlawed disposable vapes in 2023. The site includes 1,200 compost loos, 800+ water refill points, and the UK's largest event-run recycling plant.

But on helicopters, organisers are clear: "This offsite accommodation provider has no relationship to us, so we cannot control how people arrive there. We absolutely do not condone the use of helicopters. Here at Glastonbury Festival, we encourage people to arrive by public transport or to lift share if they do decide to drive."

The Pop-Up Hotel at Glastonbury (Pop-Up hotel)

Pop-Up Hotel: "Only a very small number fly in"

The Pop-Up Hotel, which offers luxury glamping options just outside the festival gates, said helicopter transfers are part of its wider package — but insisted most guests arrive by land.

A spokesperson said: "Helicopter transfers are offered as part of our lineup of services for hotel guests. Every year, we have a very small proportion of guests who arrive by helicopter. The majority come by car, coach or train."

As Monday 30 June rolled around, the skies above Pilton buzzed with departures as performers, celebrities and glampers made their way home — dodging the queues one last time.

By afternoon, the blades stopped spinning. The fields, at last, fell silent.

Until next time.