The heliport was built by the mining company Arktikugol in 1961.
In addition to flights around Barentsburg, it was used to fly to the heliport at Pyramiden.
Arktikugol originally operated Mil Mi-4 helicopters, with place for eleven passengers.
The airport was gradually expanded with new infrastructure, with the first hangar having a capacity of 700 square meters (7,500 sq ft).
The Aviation Act applies to Svalbard and from 1961 to 1974 Arktikugol followed this by applying for and receiving a helicopter operating concession from the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
After 1974 the Soviet Union stated that the regulations were in violation of the Svalbard Treaty allowing free shipping.

The Soviet Union agreed in 1971 to allow the construction of Svalbard Airport, Longyear.
The condition was that the airport be built with capacity to allow Aeroflot to operate flights to Moscow.
This would again increase the need for the heliport in Barentsburg, as it would be used to fly passengers from Barentsburg to Longyearbyen.
A major upgrade commenced in 1975, consisting of a new terminal building, hangars and a radar.
The upgrades were completed in 1978 and by then there were 20 pilots, 25 mechanics and 20 other employees working and living at Heerodden.

Arktikugol increased its fleet to five new Mil Mi-8 helicopters, all with Aeroflot markings.
Each helicopter has a capacity for 28 passengers and a range of 375 kilometers (233 mi).
Following a Jon Michelet article in Klassekampen in 1976 there was a major interest by the Norwegian press concerning the heliport.
Rumor spread concerning that the airport was illegal and that it was a military installation which in a short time could be transformed into an air base.
The lack of initial Norwegian inspections fueled the speculation.
The press which underlined that the heliport had a significant higher capacity than the five helicopters actually in use, and that with the heliport's strategic location it could easy be militarized in a conflict.
Contributing to the speculation was that Arktikugol used military, rather than the civilian, version of the Mi-8.
However, there was never any evidence to support the claims.
The surveillance section of the Governor was however not in doubt that there were agents from the Main Intelligence Directorate.
There were also speculations that the heliport was planned expanded to a full-length runway which could support fixed-winged aircraft.

The issue became more tense on 28 August 1978 with the Hopen Accident, when a Soviet Air Forces Tupolev Tu-16 crashed at Hopen.
The press started asking if Norwegian authorities had control over the Soviet activities on the island.
The Civil Aviation Administration carried out inspections at the heliport in 1979.
The Civil Aviation Administration gave an operating permit on 1 August 1980.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, subsidies and resources allocated to Svalbard and Arktikugol were diminished.
By 1993 there were only two remaining helicopters, and all crew and airport employees were relocated to live in Barentsburg.
Operation were reduced from 1998 when Arktikugol closed Pyramiden.
The heliport was built by the mining company Arktikugol in 1961. In addition to flights around Barentsburg, it was used to fly to the heliport at Pyramiden. Arktikugol originally operated Mil Mi-4 helicopters, with place for eleven passengers. The airport was gradually expanded with new infrastructure, with the first hangar having a capacity of 700 square meters (7,500 sq ft). The Aviation Act applies to Svalbard and from 1961 to 1974 Arktikugol followed this by applying for and receiving a helicopter operating concession from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. After 1974 the Soviet Union stated that the regulations were in violation of the Svalbard Treaty allowing free shipping.
The Soviet Union agreed in 1971 to allow the construction of Svalbard Airport, Longyear. The condition was that the airport be built with capacity to allow Aeroflot to operate flights to Moscow. This would again increase the need for the heliport in Barentsburg, as it would be used to fly passengers from Barentsburg to Longyearbyen. A major upgrade commenced in 1975, consisting of a new terminal building, hangars and a radar. The upgrades were completed in 1978 and by then there were 20 pilots, 25 mechanics and 20 other employees working and living at Heerodden.
Arktikugol increased its fleet to five new Mil Mi-8 helicopters, all with Aeroflot markings. Each helicopter has a capacity for 28 passengers and a range of 375 kilometers (233 mi). Following a Jon Michelet article in Klassekampen in 1976 there was a major interest by the Norwegian press concerning the heliport. Rumor spread concerning that the airport was illegal and that it was a military installation which in a short time could be transformed into an air base. The lack of initial Norwegian inspections fueled the speculation. The press which underlined that the heliport had a significant higher capacity than the five helicopters actually in use, and that with the heliport's strategic location it could easy be militarized in a conflict. Contributing to the speculation was that Arktikugol used military, rather than the civilian, version of the Mi-8. However, there was never any evidence to support the claims. The surveillance section of the Governor was however not in doubt that there were agents from the Main Intelligence Directorate. There were also speculations that the heliport was planned expanded to a full-length runway which could support fixed-winged aircraft.
The issue became more tense on 28 August 1978 with the Hopen Accident, when a Soviet Air Forces Tupolev Tu-16 crashed at Hopen. The press started asking if Norwegian authorities had control over the Soviet activities on the island. The Civil Aviation Administration carried out inspections at the heliport in 1979. The Civil Aviation Administration gave an operating permit on 1 August 1980. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, subsidies and resources allocated to Svalbard and Arktikugol were diminished. By 1993 there were only two remaining helicopters, and all crew and airport employees were relocated to live in Barentsburg. Operation were reduced from 1998 when Arktikugol closed Pyramiden.
Barentsburg Heliport, Heerodden