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Premium helicopter service launched in Goa to boost tourism
Two private helicopter companies Soaring Aerospace Pvt Ltd, in partnership with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and FlyBlade India, a joint venture between Hunch Ventures and Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc
Two private helicopter companies Soaring Aerospace Pvt Ltd, in partnership with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) and FlyBlade India, a joint venture between Hunch Ventures and Blade Urban Air Mobility, Inc., have launched services in Goa with the hope that the market has now matured.
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant, who launched the GTDC service, said the state was eager to develop avenues for high-end tourism. “High-end services can be offered best through public-private partnerships. Since Goa is a tourist state, services like these are very important,” Sawant said.
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Earlier in the week, the chief minister launched a Heli-Tourism service and along with state tourism minister Rohan Khaunte inaugurated Goa Tourism’s brand new helipads in Dauje, Ella, Old Goa, set up in partnership with Soaring Aerospace Pvt Ltd.
While the GTDC services are primarily joy rides, Blade India hopes to also ferry travellers to and from the airport to their destination.
According to the GTDC, the services “will give tourists the opportunity to experience panoramic views of the Goan landscape sprawled out before them.”
According to Amit Dutta, managing director, Blade India, unlike previous attempts, this time “there has been a significant shift after the Covid pandemic with many people and HNIs moving their base to Goa or investing here for their second homes.”
“With increasing tourism now and an increase in the number of people who live here, there’s a definitive increase in demand. There also has been a mind shift, people value convenience more and time efficiency more,” he said.
“Our primary one is pay-by-seat to make south Goa more accessible to the airports. People can book a seat in our helicopter at ₹6,000 one way,” Dutta added.
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Goa previously attempted to launch a helicopter service in the state. In 2016, the GTDC along with Pawan Hans, a chartering company, launched helicopter services offering joyrides, but the service was ultimately discontinued owing to both poor response and opposition from locals.
“There is a need and more awareness now, plus our price points are accessible, we aren’t just providing charters but our pay-per-seat model at 6k enables everyone to avail of the service,” Dutta added.
The operators now hope that with the new airport located at a corner in the far north of Goa, there will be demand for services to and from the airport for those living in the south.
For people who want to reserve the entire aircraft for themselves and fly at their own convenient time, the company is offering charter services that fly in from Mumbai, Pune, Dhadwad and from other neighbouring towns into Goa and also within Goa.
