Heli tourism clicks in Kerala

Deccan Aviation, India's first helicopter charter company that began its operations in Kerala about two months ago, is getting a good response.

Base manager of Deccan Aviation S.B. Nair told IANS: 'The average breakeven flying hours for helicopter tourism operations to be viable in the first few months is around 15 hours a month. We have done a total of 52 hours in two months. It is a great beginning.'

Deccan Aviation has five helicopters, of which one is based here.

The helicopter can seat up to six passengers. The per hour flying charge has been fixed at Rs.70,000 and an additional Rs.15,000 is charged if there is an overnight halt.

The helicopters fly to Thekkady, Munnar, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kumarakom and Kovalam.

Air Deccan is the sister company of Deccan Aviation, which recently opened its new aircraft base here.

'We see a lot of potential for our helicopter service in the tourism market in Kerala. With the peak tourist season about to commence we feel we would be able to do good business in the coming months.