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Now, Helihop To Shamshabad
Posted by Pradeep Sadanapalli | May 18, 2008 | 1,157 views
(2 votes, average: 3 out of 5)
Loading ...Want to reach Shamshabad in 10 minutes flat? Then, hop on to heli-taxi. With travel by road to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad becoming a nightmare due to heavy traffic, entrepreneurs are planning to cash in on the time factor by starting a chopper service.
A few private airlines have come up with a plan to introduce heli-taxi (chopper) services between the Begumpet airport and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, which is nearly 25 km from the core city.
“M/s B-Dev, a Canada-based group, and Deccan Aviation held discussions with the airport operator to commence their services. If the discussions are successful, helitaxi may be a reality in the next two months,” GMR Airports chief commercial officer and vice-president (planning) A Viswanath told ‘STOI.’ Though the chopper service is still in the discussion stage, operators have already zeroed in on their target customers—business travellers, corporate honchos, VIPs and commercially important persons (CIPs).
They have also identified five potential site for heliports—Begumpet Airport, Hi-Tec City, Gachibowli (near Ista Hotel), Secretariat and Ramoji Film City, he said. “It is becoming difficult to not only the general public, but also to business travellers and VIPs to reach the airport on time. As
a result, many people have been missing their flights,” said a GMR official.
Some private airlines from European countries and the United States have also evinced interest to start chopper services.
They have also conducted a feasibility study on the viability of these services in Hyderabad. According to the study, corporate honchos and business travellers were looking at ways to save time, the GMR official added.
Keeping this in view, the private airlines have come forward to launch ‘Helitaxi’ services in Hyderabad, he added. Several airports in the world have dedicated helitaxi services. “They are doing well,” he said.
According to aviation experts, the chopper would carry at least eight to 12 people (depending on the make of the chopper) apart from luggage. As the distance between the Begumpet airport and the Shamshabad Airport is less than 30 km, ferry services would range between 10 minutes and one hour and flight services would be charged on an hourly basis. According to initial estimates, the 10-minute chopper ride could be between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000. As of now, air passengers are using different modes of transport—radio cabs, dedicated buses, personal vehicles—to reach the new airport.
GMR runs 30 Aeroexpress (A/C Buses) services from different parts of the city. Passengers have to shell out Rs 95 for a one-way trip, while radio cabs charge approximately Rs 15 per kilometre.
Aeroexpress
Rs 95 (one-way) Travel time 60 minutes (non-peak hours)
Radio Cabs
Rs 15 per km Travel time ( depends on traffic)
Heli-Taxi
Rs 1000 - Rs 2000 Travel time ( 10 minutes)
SOURCES:
Times Of India
Topics: Latest Trends, Services, Business News |
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