Infrastructure major hassle in helicopter industry growth
By IANSWednesday, September 15, 2010
NEW DELHI - Major stakeholders in the helicopter industry Wednesday said the country can witness a doubling of its helicopter fleet in the next five years if the infrastructure and policy hassles are cleared.
Currently, there are 274 helicopters in the country operated by the national helicopter company Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited, private operators and business houses.
“The major problem is that of the infrastructure, maintenance and training of the personnel for the helicopter industry. While training is good here, infrastructure like heliport and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities,” said an official of the Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI) on the sidelines of a seminar here.
Major international helicopter manufacturers like Bell Helicopters and AgustaWestland are also very optimistic about the Indian market.
“Yes there is a lot of potential. If the heliport infrastructure is developed and takes off in other parts of the country like it has in the national capital, the market will witness substantial growth,” said Wing Commander (retired) B.S. Singh Deo, managing director, Bell Helicopter India.
According to the industry officials, there has been a 15 percent growth in sales of helicopters in the country annually.
