by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Award-winning Biggin Hill is to launch an Olympic helicopter service between the business airport and Ebbsfleet International Station in 2012.

Passengers will transfer to a helicopter for a short flight to the station where they will board the high-speed rail shuttle to Stratford International, close to Olympic Park.

The estimated journey time between touchdown at Biggin Hill and arrival at the stadium could be as short as 40 minutes.

Details are being hammered out by airport chiefs and High Speed One.

An airport spokesman confirmed that a helipad site had been earmarked close to Ebbsfleet International station.

Sponsors, guests and a number of competitors are expected to arrive in the country at Biggin Hill.

Meanwhile, the Olympic strategy was crucial in Biggin Hill being named Britain's Best Business Aviation Airport by the Airport Operators Association (AOA).

Guy Lachlan, CEO of the British Business and General Aviation Association which judged the category, said the judges were impressed by the airport's achievement in attracting new businesses.

"Also impressive over the past year has been the leadership and determination shown by airport management in planning and preparing for the 2012 London Olympics," he said.