High-flying politicians grounded, as chopper firms can't keep up with the rising demand for helicopters and aircraft this campaign season
High-flying politicians grounded, as chopper firms can't keep up with the rising demand for helicopters and aircraft this campaign season
The age-old demand supply problem has hit our netas. As poll campaigning reaches fever pitch, the demand for helicopters has exceeded availability and chopper firms have run out of stock, even as requests from politicians continue to pour in.
According to aviation industry sources, helicopters were considered a luxury during the 2004 elections and most leaders travelled to rallies by road.
"But this year, the demand for helicopters has skyrocketed. Hiring choppers would cost between Rs 45,000 and Rs 90,000, but this time, the rates have crossed Rs 1 lakh per hour," said captain R Puri of Air Charters India, a helicopter charter company.u00a0
Capt Puri informed that charter operators do not have any more helicopters or aircraft to rent out.
After news reports that the Congress and BJP hired aircraft from private companies such as Tata, GMR and Indiabulls for election campaigns, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued fresh guidelines stating that hiring personal helicopters and aircraft is illegal.
"The new directive has also prompted political parties to make fresh requests," Capt Puri said.u00a0
The Congress and the BJP have leased about 40 helicopters, between them, from authorised charter operators.
Industry estimates indicate that most of the 500 choppers and small aircraft available in the country have been booked already and the demand has doubled since the last Lok Sabha polls.
"The last elections saw a demand for about 200 choppers and aircraft. This time, the demand has doubled, something we were not expecting," said Retd Air Vice Marshal K Sridharan, president, Rotary Wing Society of India, a non-profit professional society that works for the growth of civil and military helicopter industry in India.
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