Chopper metro service launched in Bangalore

Bangalore: Bangalore Skylimo service, launched by Deccan Aviation — which pioneered low-cost flying in India — is being offered from Electronics City to the new BIAL airport. Electronics City is a hub of IT and multinational companies with several super-speciality hospitals in the vicinity, whom Deccan Aviation wants to target as potential heli-hoppers.
By road, the distance to the airport takes anywhere between two-and-a-half hours and three hours if there is free passage. For software clients and top CEOs used to returning to base the same night or even taking a connecting international flight, the commute time is something they can ill afford. What they can afford is the Skylimo at Rs 5,800 per passenger for a one-way flight.
A one-way ride in a rented Mercedes or BMW costs nearly as much. Even a sedan like the Accent or Baleno will charge upwards of Rs 2,000. The fare in AC taxis works out to approximately Rs 1,000.
“The weather is the only impediment for helicopter operations. Otherwise, it’s an under-20 minute flight,” says Lt Col Rajendra Menon, a former army aviation pilot who commandeered the first commercial Skylimo flight today with three passengers.
The copter — a Bell 206 that can seat four — lifted off around 9, giving a spectacular view of the glass-fronted buildings around Electronics City, crossing the highway where the morning rush hour had already choked the arterial road and flying north towards Devanahalli.
The total flight duration was 19 minutes, including 15 spent in the air, said Menon.
Deccan Aviation plans to pick up and drop passengers at several city points –HAL airport, Palace Grounds, Whitefield and later even from UB City near Cubbon Park where a rooftop helipad is awaiting clearance.
Flying to the city points will cost a passenger Rs 4,800.
04/07/08 Anil Budur Lulla/The Statesman

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

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