NEW DELHI: Amidst the fervour of the Lok Sabha elections in India, the demand for rental helicopters among political parties and politicians has surged, as they seek to swiftly traverse long-distance areas to reach public rallies and campaign events.
With an estimated 155 helicopters in India, one-third of which are owned by the state-operated Pawan Hans, demand for these aerial vehicles has reached unprecedented levels. This year alone, demand has soared to 100-130 helicopters, far outstripping the available supply, which currently stands at only 65%.
As a result of this demand-supply mismatch, the prices for chartering helicopters have skyrocketed, jumping from Rs 55,000-130,000 per hour during the 2019 general elections to a staggering Rs 200,000-350,000 per hour for the upcoming polls, depending on the aircraft type and travel distance.
Political leaders and parties from states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh have already secured bookings for choppers from various companies, including Aone Helicopter Private Ltd, Air Bird Charter Services Ltd, Indian Fly Service, Faaindia Pvt Ltd and others.
Mumbai-based Flying Birds Aviation, for instance, has witnessed a surge in demand during state elections, with the company deploying 12 choppers for election-related activities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, despite owning only four helicopters and six fixed-wing small business jets.
“The demand for helicopters is expected to escalate further as the 2024 general elections draw closer, with political parties and leaders prioritizing safety and convenience,” Ashish Kumar, CEO of Flying Birds Aviation,
Amit Dutta, managing director of Gurugram-based start-up BLADE India, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the overwhelming demand for choppers from political parties amidst a shortage of inventory in the market.
Apart from election-related activities, helicopters are also utilised for religious trips, movie shoots, joyrides, aerial surveys, and wedding ceremonies, further adding to their demand.
With the Lok Sabha elections looming large, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is eyeing a resounding victory, aiming to secure over 400 seats in the Lower House, in a keenly contested battle against the opposition INDIA bloc and NDA coalition.
