Helicopters for EMS, major projects need to be developed: Indocopters

Presently almost 100 per cent of helicopter usage is for passenger transport when it has enormous potential for other operations such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS); moving goods in inaccessible areas etc and Indocopters is eyeing that market, according to Sanjeev Choudhary, Senior Vice President, Head - Sales & Business Development, Indocopters.

In the Himalayan region alone the requirement for helicopters could be about 100 as many power projects, border road development etc were happening, but were time-consuming because of the mode of transport - mules or by foot. “A power project costs over 3,000 crore and investment in a helicopter which is upwards of 12 crore is nothing, but the cost and time advantage it gives in the project development is enormous.”

Indocopters intends to tap this market, but it is going to be an arduous task of getting these companies to realise the cost-benefits. “Many power companies have shown interest and it is a matter of time before they adopt.”

The potential to use helicopters for various operations are enormous. Sanjeev said EMS is one area. “The question is who is going to own the helicopters - hospitals, third party operators or someone else. In the West, there is insurance and that takes care of movement of patients. Here we are talking to insurance companies and hope that they take the initiative.”

INDOCOPTERS GROWTH

Sanjeev mentioned that last year 14 helicopters were registered in India and Indocopters accounted for three new inductions. For Indocopters, the number is expected to double in 2012 (with four single engines and one twin engine). “It is a fairly good number, but we can do better if there were no regulatory issues.”

However, Indocopters believes in the Indian market which has great potential except that the regulatory authorities have to get their act together. “It includes the DGCA, Customs, Ministry of Civil Aviation etc. It is a nightmare to get an engine overhauled as it would mean importing components and the exorbitantly high customs duties prevent one from doing so. We are losing out to Singapore and other countries.”