NEDUMBASSERY: Kochi International Airport is likely to become a Heli hub in the state, if the efforts of CIAL management are any indication. The CIAL has plans to construct an exclusive heli terminal with four or five helipads in Kochi airport. CIAL managing director C G Krishnadas Nair said on Saturday. He was addressing the launching ceremony of the heli taxi service at Kochi airport on Saturday. The helicopter taxi service will initially conduct operation to Nilackal, near Sabarimala.
C G Krishnadas Nair and CIAL director M A Yusef Ali flagged off the heli taxi service.
Travancore Devaswom Board president M Rajagopalan Nair inaugurated the launching ceremony.
The heli taxi service would provide air connectivity to various religious and tourist centres. A proposal would be submitted to the DGCA for regulatory approval and final sanction from the board of the airport company, Krishnadas Nair said. The CIAL is expecting to construct the helipads in January and launch the operation next year. In a bid to tap the growing market of helicopter services, CIAL will try to have tie-up with other agencies operating heli taxi services.
CIAL will coordinate with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation for using the helicopters for tourists. The heli taxi service is being operated by Bharat Airways Private Ltd, a Bangalore-based aviation company. The Bell Helicopter, having 5 passenger seats, would be used initially, BAPL director Sasikumar said. Booking can be done online at www.bharathairways.
com or www.keralaairtaxt.
com and over phone: 09342536565 (Sasikumar) and 09447113113 (Gireesh Nair).