Heli-hop above all traffic woes

Bangalore: According to the city’s two helicopter service companies — Deccan Charters and Global Vectra — their whirlybirds are regularly chartered by international corporate heads visiting their Indian plants; there is also inland demand for emergency medical transfers. And that demand is slowly increasing.
“We’re booked for 20 to 25 days a month,” says Sanjay Saigal, vice-president Deccan Charters. Saigal agrees that business is picking up, but says that consistency has not yet been achieved. “..Demand has seen a 20% rise, but that’s not enough to start a shuttle service,” says Saigal. Deccan currently operates three helicopters out of Bangalore.
Global Vectra may only have one chopper based in the city, but it is keeping its options open for more, according to the company’s deputy general manger, Arjun Chopra. “We get a lot of charter demands, but not enough for a regular shuttle service,” says Chopra. He believes that it is only a matter of time before Bangalore opts for an airborne solution to vexing connectivity issues.
The ITC Royal Gardenia Bangalore, which is the only hotel in India to have a helipad, is hoping it will be a big hit with corporate leaders.
R Madhu of SLS Tourist, a leading India tour company, says, “Heli-tourism could have picked up if the government had taken the initiative. It has not happened, but it will.”
Now, however, with the BBMP stating it may allow helicopters to land on residential and commercial buildings, an increasing number of factories, hospitals, hotels and high-end residential clusters are building helipads.
Captain GR Gopinath of Deccan Aviation, who pioneered low-cost air travel in India, believes that helicopters are a viable transport option.
Sudeep Chandran of Terra Firma, a leading land consultant, says, “Many transnational companies setting up shop in North Bangalore (Doddaballapur) are building helipads.”
16/01/10 PK Surendran/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2010, New Jan 2010