Helicopter Tourism takes off to an optimistic start in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam Helicopter Tourism project has finally taken off and it looks optimistic for future. A long list of road blocks had delayed the helicopter tourism project.

Pawan Hans Ltd. conducted the trials of the helicopter yesterday at VUDA Park on Beach Road. These trials were conducted in the presence of representatives from Pawan Hans and INS Dega of Eastern Naval Command. Pawan Hans sent a red coloured helicopter that took off for and flew for 20 minutes and landed back successfully. A report will be submitted to the Naval authorities before tourism flying sorties can commence. The turn around time for the permissions to come in is expected to be about 2 weeks. This will ensure that the helicopter tourism facility will be up and running by December.

Various delays have plagued the project. October 16/19th was the scheduled date for trials which got postponed due to bad weather. A change in the agency to make the project workable has also been changed. It was Sky Choppers of Hyderabad and later Pawan Hans that is to provide the helicopter service. For the first few days as the tourism project takes off only one helicopter will be used and later on more will be added depending on volume of tourist traffic.

As per news reported by Deccan Chronicle  – “The joy rides will be limited to the Vizag city (VUDA Park to Bheemili) and base on the demand, the service will be extended to Araku Valley covering the entire agency area. VUDA also managed to agree with Pawan Hans to operate the helicopter at Rs 2500 for a 10-minute city ride from VUDA Park to Bheemili.”