India's first HeliTaxi services launched at KIA

You could soon take a helicopter taxi from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here to Electronics City, flying the distance in just 12 to 15 minutes. Launched by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha on Friday, the service is all set to take off in three months. KIA is the first airport and Bengaluru is the first city in the country with such a service.

Operated by Thumby Aviation Private Ltd., the HeliTaxi service will initially fly two helicopters, a Bell 412 with 13 passengers and two pilots; and a Bell 407 with five passengers and two pilots. The fleet will be expanded based on demand.

Equating the HeliTaxis to the UDAAN project for regional connectivity, Sinha said the service will ensure quick, seamless transfers to and from the airport, at a cost similar to a luxury taxi fare. Although the fares have not been fixed, the KIA-Electronics City service could be in the range of Rs 3,000-Rs. 4,000, according to Thumby Aviation Chairman and Managing Director, Gp Capt K N G Nair.

The infrastructure is ready to land the helicopters at Electronics City. On the government's agenda is a heliport there, once volumes increase. “We are working with BIAL and Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) on the proposal. Locations in Whitefield are also in the pipeline,” Sinha informed.

About 60,000 passengers pass through KIA every day. Even if 100 of them take the HeliTaxis, the service will become viable, reducing costs. The operator, based on an extensive pre-launch study, has targeted about 60-70 passengers initially.

The KIA-Electronics City flight time of 15 minutes and consequent fares could go up if the heli-taxis take an Eastward diversion to avoid flight tests at the HAL Airport. The operators are in talks with HAL to find a way out. This airport is also on the heli-taxi agenda. The KIA to HAL Airport cost could work out to about Rs. 2,500 to Rs 3,000, as Gp Capt Nair informed.