First helitaxii service takes off in Bengaluru

App-based taxi service reached another level on Monday when first helitaxii service took off in Bengaluru.

Ferrying 10 passengers from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) to Electronics City in 15 minutes, the helitaxii made two trips, with the first one taking off at 6.30 a.m.

Helitaxii is touted to be the first such service in the country, was announced in August 2017 by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha. 

The service is offered by KIA in partnership with Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd, in an effort to reduce the time taken to travel to the city from the international airport.

HeliTaxii services will soon open up for bookings at HAL and plans to activate more helipads in the city to make it an intracity
service. 

It has begun its operations with one Bell 407 helicopter which carries 6 passengers and in near future will bring in a
13-passenger Bell 412 helicopter as demand picks up. 

The airport shuttle is currently operational from 06:30 AM – 09:45 AM and 3:15 PM – 6:00 PM. 

The per seat price for a one-way journey for the airport shuttle between KIAL and Electronic City/HAL airport is Rs 3500, excluding GST.

At present, the company is operating only one helicopter. The number will increase depending on the demand.