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Chopper joyrides from October again
Enthusiasts can now have a bird’s eye view of the city once the Telangana State Tourism department re-introduces the Helicopter joyride for denizens from October this year. Locals and tourists would very get an opportunity to experience the thrill of aerial view of important tourist spots in the city.
Hyderabad: Enthusiasts can now have a bird’s eye view of the city once the Telangana State Tourism department re-introduces the Helicopter joyride for denizens from October this year. Locals and tourists would very get an opportunity to experience the thrill of aerial view of important tourist spots in the city.
Since the price of ticket was a point of contention raised by several previous sky tourists, the State government is contemplating to reduce the price for each ride per person when it is re-launched.
Highlights:
- Started in March 2016, the response was encouraging from citizens
- Decision awaited for a revised ticket price, currently at `3,499 per person
- Prospective riders want it to be fixed at `2,000 per person
When the helicopter joyrides were first started in March, 2016, each ride per person was priced at Rs 3,499. Starting from Necklace Road, the ride covered places like Birla Mandir, Buddha Statue, Charminar, Falaknuma Palace, Salarjung Museum, Hi-tech City, Golconda Fort, State Assembly, Hyderabad High Court and Public Gardens.
A systems engineer for an MNC, G Sharath Kumar said, “I wanted to take my family for a helicopter joy ride, but the ticket price is not encouraging. It will be good if the government makes it affordable to the common man.”
A senior official of the Tourism department said that a decision would be taken on the ticket price soon. He said that when the helicopter ride was launched in March 2016, the response from citizens was very encouraging. Earlier this year, tourism officials operated a four-seater helicopter, a Bell 406, from a specially-erected helipad near Jalavihar on the Necklace Road.
However, they were not happy with the price for each ride. “Pricing has become an issue here. Citizens want government to reduce the price from Rs 3,499 to Rs. 2,000. We are re-thinking about the pricing of the rides. If we cut down the price, it will not work out for us. If the government gives us some subsidy, the price may come down,” said a senior official.
When asked whether they had permission from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation for helicopter joy rides, Secretary to Government, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Culture Department B Venkatesham said that permission was not required for rides as they last for about a week in a month.
“If helicopter joy ride services are offered for more than a week, the State government should take permission from the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” the Secretary clarified.
