Helicopter Tourism in India.

Helicopters have the advantage of linking inaccessible areas particularly in the hills and
ensuring comfortable and short journeys over difficult terrain, which would take a long
time by road. This sector is being expanding day by day with the increase awareness
among masses about utility of helicopters for tourism purposes in the form of
convenience, time saving etc. The usage of helicopter by the general public in the tourism
industry is growing, specially with the regular passenger services connecting important
tourist and religious places. This also caters to the requirement of large section of people,
who find it difficult to otherwise commute either due to health or age considerations.
This statement is reinforced with the fact that Pawan Hans has been expanding
deployment of helicopters in this sector at various places in India.

(Destinations Served by Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited)

Pawan Hans has provided helicopters in six North East States - Meghalaya, Arunachal
Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland, which are being utilized for connecting
inaccessible areas for carrying passengers under the aegis of the respective State Govt. as
per their requirements. The details are as under : -

Arunachal Pradesh At present Pawan Hans has provided a Dauphin helicopter SA

365N to Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh (from Dec 95 onwards), which is being utilized by
the State Govt. for passenger services connecting Itanagar with Guwahat, Tezu, Ziro,
Roing, etc. Pawan Hans had also provided a 26 seater Mi-172 helicopter to the State
Govt. w.e.f. 1 April 2007 onwards for ferrying of passengers and carrying cargo (air
maintenance). With excellent high altitude performance of Mi-172 helicopter, the State
Govt. has been using the helicopter to connect high altitude places such as Tawang, Rupa,
Bomdila etc. by helicopter for carrying men & materials.

Meghalaya: Pawan Hans has provided a Dauphin helicopter on wet lease to the Govt. of
Meghalaya w.e.f. 15th February, 1999. The State Govt. has been operating daily
passenger flights on Guwahati-Shillong-Tura sector and other flights within the State.
The sectors on which the State Govt. is utilizing the helicopter are Guwahati, Tura,
Shillong for running regular passenger services.

Sikkim Pawan Hans has provided a 5 Seater Bell helicopter on wet lease to the Govt. of
Sikkim since 3lst October, 1998. The State Govt. has been operating daily
passenger/tourist flights on Gangtok- Bagdogra-Gangtok sector (6 days in a week)
and other flights for carrying tourists.

Tripura Pawan Hans has provided a Bell 407 helicopter on wet lease to the Govt. of
Tripura w.e.f. 25th September, 2002. The State Govt. has been utilizing this helicopter
for regular passenger services connecting Agartala, Dharmanagar, Kailashaar etc. and
for other purposes within the state.
Nagaland Pawan Hans has provided one helicopter (initially a Mi-172 helicopter) on wet
lease to the Govt. of Nagaland w.e.f. 1st December, 2007 for regular passenger
services.

Inter Island Transportation In addition, PHHL has also provided helicopters to

Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Administrations for inter island transportation
and for promotion of tourism in such areas n addition,

Kedarnath Further, PHHL also operates passenger services to Kedarnath & Badrinath
Dham twice in a year (May-June & Sept.-Oct.) from Phata/Augustmuni and has been
providing helicopters for carrying pilgrims to Amarnath Dham on wet lease basis to the
interested party during yatra season.]

Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Pawan Hans has also deployed 2 Bell helicopters for regular
passenger flights to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. The helicopters are being operated on
Katra-Sanjichhat- Katra sector on regular basis for carrying pilgrims to the holy Shrine.

Pawan Hans is also planning to set up Heliports in Delhi and NCRs. This will also help in
boosting tourism as it would ease the travel, reduce the commuting time due to less
waiting time for take off and landing. PHHL would continue to make efforts to promote
helicopter tourism in future also. In this regard PHHL has plans to connect important
adjoining tourists/religious places in Uttaranchal such as Ghagharia, Hemkund Sahib etc.,
subject to necessary permissions. In this connection construction of Hangar at Gauchar
airfield is in full swing on the land allotted by the State Govt. on lease basis for helicopter
services.

(Destinations served by Deccan Aviation)

Heli - Adverture Tourism

North to Ranthambore National Park, Ananda, Kullu, Manali and Shimla in the
Himalayas to Kabini, the Cauvery fishing camp and Thekkady in the South.

Heli-Religious Tourism
India offers destinations of great interest to Religious tourists. Hitherto tough-to-access
destinations like Badrinath Kedarnath, Katra-Vaishnodevi & Amarnath have now been
brought within easy reach through our Helipilgrimage services. Packages are also
operational to destinations like Puttaparathi, Tirupathi, Shravanabelagola,
Shirdi, Guruvayoor and more.
Heli- Heritage Tourism
India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. With a document history going back
some 5000 years India is a land of delight and surprises for Heritage tourists. From forts
temples and palaces in Rajasthan, to The Taj Mahal in Agra to Hampi and
Shravanbelugal.

Heli-Heritage at Hampi Depart from Bangalore at 0700 hrs in the luxurious confines of
a six-seater helicopter, (complete with a picnic basket and liquid refreshments) and land
within 5 minutes drive to the excavated city of Hampi. Spread over an area of 14 Sq.
Kms lies the ruins at Hampi, the ancient capital of the mighty Vijaynagar Empire that
controlled the southern peninsula for over two centuries. The palaces, forts and temples
that lie among the world heritage site are a testimony to the patronage of arts and
architecture by the mighty Vijayanagar kings. A guided visit through Hampi and a late
lunch out of a picnic basket will leave you with just enough time for your early evening
flight to Bangalore.

Heli-Luxury at the Backwaters / Plantations / Forests

Commencing from Bangalore this helicopter trip is an exclusive exotic combination of all
the offerings of Kerala – (God’s Own Country). It covers a flight over the Annamalai
mountain ranges of South India, a boat safari at the Thekkady forest, a house-boat
afternoon at Alleppey (the Venice of the East), an evening and night at a coffee
plantation near Wynad, a morning jeep safari to the Muthanga National Park, topped up
finally with an authentic Ayurvedic Massage, a visit to the historic Mysore Palace and
lunch at the Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel.