Indian Silicon Valley IT Capital of India Bengaluru’s become the first city in the country to have a helitaxi on Monday when a privately owned helicopter service took to sky delivering its first three passengers to Kempegowda International Airport from Electronic City in 15 minutes, which otherwise would have taken nearly two hours by road. The most awaited Heli taxi service just started in Bengaluru with people .
The maiden trip of the heli taxi was between Electronic City and Kempegowda International Airport, in Bengaluru’s first helicopter taxi service. Fantasy turned into reality on Monday morning for private company executive Ajay Kumar when he completed the otherwise arduous trip between Electronic City and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in less than 15 minutes.
India’s Flying taxi service has been launched in Bengaluru, India on today at 1:30 pm. A total of nine passengers were part of the maiden trip of this flying taxi. A private company executive Ajay Kumar completed his trip between Electronic City and Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in less than 15 minutes.
At present, the Heli taxi service is working between KIA and Electronic City while the HAL airport will also be added in the next couple of weeks. The starting fare of this Flying Taxi is Rs 4,130 per seat, which includes GST also. The pickup services started from the airport terminal to the helipad, and it allows to carry 15 kg luggage, but an extra charge for more luggage will be implied only when your luggage weight is more than 15 Kg.
Bookings can be made by downloading the Thumby mobile app (Heli Taxi) where seats can be booked online. Seats can also be booked on the spot at the company’s counter at KIA and at Thumby’s facility at Electronic City.
Passengers can avail of the company’s heliport facility within the international airport, which is just about a kilometer away from KIA. Passengers are picked from the airport and dropped back and the charge for this is included in the heli taxi ticket.
Air Ambulances next in line?
The BBMP earmarked Rs 5 crores for the constructions of helipads in all of its eight zones to provide “air ambulance services” and to facilitate the movement of VIPs. Thumby Aviation has said it is up to this task too. Captain Nair praised the BBMP’s proposal, calling it a revolution in emergency health care.
“Getting assistance during the golden hour is crucial to saving lives.” Helicopters used as ambulances can be equipped with ICU-like facilities including a ventilator, oxygen cylinders, and a dedicated medical team, Nair added.
At present, the company is operating only one helicopter. The number will increase depending on the demand. “Our service is not affecting any activities at the international airport. We have a different route, which is approved by the Ministry of Defence and Airports Authority of India, which does not interfere with the air force related traffic in Yelahanka or HAL either,” Mr. Nair added.
