Bengaluru previously knows as Bangalore a city of Fun and Frolic with over the top lifestyle has become an IT hub in the last few years. As there is an immense increase in population due to rise in the IT industry there was a lot of traffic in and around the city since the last few months. As employees spend half the day in traffic, there was an initiative that was taken by the Thumby Aviation to start Heli-Taxi service in Bengaluru.
India’s first ever Helicopter service in Bengaluru took off yesterday with people all pumped up. The first Trip was between the Electronic city and Kempegowda International Airport which hardly took 15 min. The same distance meanwhile on road would take about a total of 2 hours and more. The first ever Heli-taxi service went on to be the fastest and joyful ride that was experienced by the employees
The Heli-taxi services between the Electronic city and KIA airport which will operate two Bell 407 helicopters, can almost take up to a seat of six people. During the main office/business hours, the service will operate in two shifts from 6.30 to 9.30 am and from 3.00 to 6.15 pm. KIA Airport and Electronic City are the routes where the Heli-taxi services are functioning as of now, while HAL Airport would be added later as an additional destination in the coming two weeks.
What had been a fantasy for most of the people in Bangalore turned into a complete reality on Monday morning for Ajay Kumar, a private company executive when he completed the Heli-taxi trip between Electronic City and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) within 15 minutes.He was one of the six passengers that had travelled in the Helicopter.
Kumar who had to catch a flight from Bengaluru to Bhubaneswar at 8 am was in a hurry. “Heli taxi took off from the Electronic city at 6:40 am and reached KIA airport at 6:50 am. I was ready to board the flight at 7 am which is simply amazing.” The passengers really had a stunning ride because their main agenda was clear which was “they had to save time.”
“The helipad which is situated in Phase-I of Electronics City is also located close to the metro station that was coming soon and bus station.There is also a talk about launching services from KIA to luxury hotels including ITC Gardenia.Speaking to TNM, an airport spokesperson said,
The Heli-taxi service will start from the airport to Electronic City. The city has a round figure close to 90 helipads awaiting DGCA approval. As some of those get the green signal, then we would slowly expand the services to other areas. The process of schedule timings, identifying and figuring out the right locations and certain other programs will begin now.”
Although people still find it tough going through Bengaluru’s traffic mess, getting home from the Kempegowda International Airport is going to get very much easier in the next few months ahead, but yes money has to be spent in plenty out in order to avail this service.
The Helicopter price in Bengaluru is Rs 3,500 plus GST while there is also an offer of Rs 2,500 plus GST if the person is registered under a corporate tag,” said Govind Nair, who is the Head of Business Development, Thumby Aviation Private Ltd.
Thumby Aviation plans to start full-fledged helicopter services to many tourist places like Chikkamagaluru, Coorg, Kodaikanal and Wayanad as well.
The Heli-taxi includes pick up from the airport terminal to the helipad and allows to carry 15 kg of luggage, but there would be an extra charge incurred for additional luggage. People can book their seat from a mobile app called ‘Heli-Taxi’.
