Deccan Aviation has launched its intracity helicopter service ‘Deccan Skylimo’ to connect the new airport at Devanahalli to various strategic locations in the city, reported the Business Standard.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa inaugurated the service. The service will be available from three locations—Electronic City, Whitefield and HAL—using a Bell 206 Jet ranger. Deccan Aviation plans to add more helicopters and expand its services to more locations, including Palace Grounds.

Bangalore International Airport CEO Albert Brunner, said that the service would reduce traffic congestion on the Bellary National Highway. The service, being essentially aimed at VIPs, would facilitate their movement. Brunner added that the service would help make connecting to the new airport more efficient.

Skylimo services will be available on demand every two hours in the morning and evening from 7AM to 11AM and 2PM and 4PM, respectively. The last service to the airport is at 6PM. A trip on the helicopter will cost about Rs 4,800 ($110.8) to Rs 5,800 ($133.8) per person based on the location. The trip will take 15 to 20 minutes against one-and-a-half hours by road.

While the service may be a boon to the corporate heads and VIPs, Brunner's reasoning about the service reducing traffic congestion on the Bellary National Highway may be taking things too far. A few trips by the helicopter can accomodate only a small number of people, which may not amount to a high percentage of people travelling by Bellary Road. However, this may be true in the case of foreign dignatories and senior politicians being accompanied by as many as 40 vehicles. X

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