Global Vectra plans airport shuttle links

Mumbai: India’s largest private helicopter company Global Vectra Helicop Ltd, catering to offshore oil drilling fields, plans to start shuttle services to link airports within cities.
“Flying between airports is an excellent opportunity,” said David Hayler, chief executive of Global Vectra. “A chopper service will cut your two-hour travel to 20 minutes. But India needs to develop ground infrastructure to support this.”
The Mumbai-based helicopter company, which recently decided to focus on onshore operations such as heli-tourism and charter services, is exploring strategic partnerships in smaller airports to set up heliports.
The company is targeting passengers who would want to quickly switch between airports. New airports, such as those in Bangalore and Hyderabad, are located on the outskirts of the city, and helicopter shuttle services could cover the distance faster.
Shuttle services are the trend worldwide, he said. For instance, US-based Delta Air Lines Inc. has offered complimentary chopper services to its business class travellers. The carrier will take passengers to JFK International Airport from New York city heliports.
First and business class passengers would want to fly to distant airports in helicopters, said a Mumbai-based aviation analyst, who did not want to be identified.
The ministry of civil aviation has declared 2008 the year of helicopter services. The Centre plans to set up heliports in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
UB Group-controlled Kingfisher Airlines Ltd also plans to start heli-taxi services for its passengers from certain heliports to airports, in addition to other chartering businesses.
Global Vectra is currently tying up with tourism boards and companies.
26/05/08 P.R. Sanjai/Livemint

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2008, New May 2008