Mumbai-Pune chopper service may take wing

New Delhi: The Ganpati festival could bring some good news for Mumbaikars. In a first for the country, the government is examining the feasibility of starting a regular helicopter service between Mumbai and Pune. The service is proposed to be launched by the state-run Pawan Hans and could make flying between the two cities affordable. At present, airline fares are extremely steep in this short sector.
A team of top aviation ministry, DGCA and Pawan Hans officials will be in the metropolis this week to study the feasibility of the chopper service and also scout for a site for a heliport in south Mumbai. Pawan Hans has proposed to build a heliport in the sea, a first for India but a common practice abroad. “There can be a regular service from this south Mumbai heliport to the existing airport, which is about a 2-hour drive otherwise. The new second airport for the city is proposed to be built in Navi Mumbai, which is even farther away and desperately calls for a chopper connection,’’ said a senior official.
02/09/08 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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