Why the sky is full of buzz during Cup week

“It’s such an iconic event in Melbourne, everyone’s got that really high spirit,” Suares said.

Helicopter flights serve “a range of A-list celebrities and VIPs…but regular punters are also able to book flights, as well,” Suares said.

Microflite runs about 50 return flights a day from the city to Flemington. “The Derby and Cup Day probably do a little bit more,” Suares said. “They’re probably the main days.”

Other operators, such as Leisure Tours, fly in from Essendon Fields, Tullamarine, and even Avalon Airport.

In fact, it’s a big travel event overall. On Friday, Melbourne Airport expects 126,000 passengers, just shy of its all-time busiest day.

Last year, there were 239 helicopter arrivals into Flemington during Cup week, according to Airservices Australia, the air traffic control authority. The year before there were nearly 300.

It’s quite a dance. A staff member from Microflite is stationed in the mounting yards to ensure horses are completely clear of the track before a helicopter lands or takes off. Flights are restricted to 10 minutes before a race and 13 minutes after to avoid spooking the thoroughbreds.

Flying to Flemington on race day was one of the reasons Cameron Lang, who flies an EC-130 for Microflite, became a helicopter pilot. “You know, it’s quite an exciting thing.”

A flight from Essendon to Flemington is about five minutes “from lift off to touch down”, said Brad Dalgleish, of Leisure Tours, which also provides flights.

“We’ll give a city orbit to give more value to the flight,” he said. That scenic tour takes the flight time up to about 10 to 15 minutes.

Once passengers land at Flemington, they are offered drinks at the Microflite marquee, where there is also live music.

Importantly, it’s a place where the airborne elite can congregate away from the terrestrial-bound.

Suares said: “There’s an opportunity for guests that are travelling on the helicopter to mingle as well before going into their separate marquees.”

George Hedley of Events Travel said that his company has sold “many helicopter transfers” for guests from the CBD to and from Flemington on Derby Day and Cup Day.

Typically, transfers depart from Batman Park offering guests “pre-departure bubbles and a lounge area, plus a scenic and elevated journey to and from Flemington,” Hedley said.

The bulk of Hedley’s customers take a luxury coach to and from their five-star hotel, a “minority take helicopter transfers, as it’s quite expensive,” said Hedley.

How expensive? A shared one-way helicopter transfer is $554 per person, while a private return transfer (taking up to six passengers) can cost up to $5148 in total, at Events Travel.

For people travelling to the races by car, traffic could take an hour or more, said Leisure Tour’s Dalgleish. “So you could still be looking at – I don’t know – $150 odd in cost” plus the time spent in the car.” A flight is 15 minutes with no delay going home. It’s also “very prestigious”.

Lang, the pilot, said: “People are quite serious and all prim and proper at the start of the day, and a bit more relaxed, obviously by the end of the day, carrying their shoes.

“They’ll be carrying their hats, and their winnings, and smiles in some people, and a [look of] devastation in others [for lost bets].

“But it’s generally quite a good day.”

Typically, the first flight isn’t until after 9am and the last is at 7pm, as the helicopters don’t fly at night.

As spring gives way to summer, many of the same pilots and helicopters work with the state to fight bushfires and patrol beaches.

Suares, who helps facilitate the VIP passengers, said that after years of working during Cup Day, her favourite part is being on the last helicopter out and looking down to see the crowds amassed at Flemington station waiting for the train.

The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.