Shah Alam Nur :
Private helicopter and air ambulance service have emerged as one of the most potential investment areas in the country as businessmen and member of other professions now prefer the chopper service to guard against wastage of time, industry insiders said.
People even book helicopters in advance before and after several occasions like Eid, marriage ceremony and business for to meet emergencies, they said.
According to source, annual turnover of the sector, which was hardly Tk 50.0 million in 2005, has now reached Tk 5.0 billion thanks to the country’s poor road and train condition.
South Asian Airlines way the first to introduce helicopter service 15 years ago. Encouraged by the success of South Asian Airlines Ltd, seven more local companies joined the aviation business in last few years.
“Private helicopter service is gaining popularity for being the fast and convenient transportation,” Shamsher Ali, Managing Director of SAAL told The New Nation on Thursday.
He said, a large number of local people and foreigners have now been traveling within Bangladesh by helicopter for business, recreation and emergency medicare purposes.
“Helicopter can go to any place within a short time. As a result helicopter and air ambulance businesses are booming”, he said.
He also pointed out that the seven companies which have introduced helicopter service, have other businesses. The service is also required now for our foreign delegates or partners.
In recent times some of the leading local private companies have introduced helicopter service and invested about 10 billion taka in this business.
“Now we get clients almost every day because affluent people are turning to helicopter and air ambulance services for safe and comfortable journey”, said Kaium Sarker, Marketing Executive of Square Air Limited, one of the premier helicopter service providers in the country.
He said, the wealthy including VIPs, CIPs, corporate heads, travel agents, and tour operators prefer helicopter journey.
He said Square Air Limited has two (Bell-404 and Robinson R-66) helicopters and air charges are Tk 1,15,000 (excluding 15 per cent VAT) for each hour of flight for seven persons, while for a four-seated Robinson helicopter the companies charge Tk 72,000 (excluding 15 per cent VAT) per hour.
Faruk Hassan, Managing Director of Giant Group, one of the leading export-oriented apparel business houses said the conglomerates, corporate executives; foreign business partners prefer helicopter services to visit factories or projects outside capital to avoid traffic congestion and time consuming journey by road.
He said that is view of the improved economic condition the percentage of travelling people by helicopters has been increasing significantly.
Flight operation officer of Meghna Aviation Ltd said, a traveller can go to visit several locations in the country within a day by a helicopter.
He said the travellers enjoy total privacy. Conduct business as they fly, or relax in comfort and prepare for the next meeting.
He said they are providing highest safety and security to their customers.
Wealthy customers are hiring helicopters for many purposes including marriage ceremony, political campaign, film shooting and advertisement, visiting branches of big companies outside capital and quick movement of patients.
The helicopter companies also maintain the highest standards of professionalism, safety, aircrew training and aircraft maintenance on the ground or in the air.
Square Air Ltd, a sister concern of Square Group, Meghna Aviation Limited, an enterprise of Meghna Group of Industries, BRB Air Limited, South Asian-airlines, Bangla International Airlines Limited, Impress Aviation Limited and R&R Aviation have been providing helicopter services. Nearly 14 helicopters of these companies are carrying people.
The Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) must be informed 48 hours before the flight as the helicopter has no definite route, the flight control tower must be prepared before the flight to communicate easily. But, in emergency cases, the permission is given in 5 to 60 minutes also.
Private helicopter and air ambulance service have emerged as one of the most potential investment areas in the country as businessmen and member of other professions now prefer the chopper service to guard against wastage of time, industry insiders said.
People even book helicopters in advance before and after several occasions like Eid, marriage ceremony and business for to meet emergencies, they said.
According to source, annual turnover of the sector, which was hardly Tk 50.0 million in 2005, has now reached Tk 5.0 billion thanks to the country’s poor road and train condition.
South Asian Airlines way the first to introduce helicopter service 15 years ago. Encouraged by the success of South Asian Airlines Ltd, seven more local companies joined the aviation business in last few years.
“Private helicopter service is gaining popularity for being the fast and convenient transportation,” Shamsher Ali, Managing Director of SAAL told The New Nation on Thursday.
He said, a large number of local people and foreigners have now been traveling within Bangladesh by helicopter for business, recreation and emergency medicare purposes.
“Helicopter can go to any place within a short time. As a result helicopter and air ambulance businesses are booming”, he said.
He also pointed out that the seven companies which have introduced helicopter service, have other businesses. The service is also required now for our foreign delegates or partners.
In recent times some of the leading local private companies have introduced helicopter service and invested about 10 billion taka in this business.
“Now we get clients almost every day because affluent people are turning to helicopter and air ambulance services for safe and comfortable journey”, said Kaium Sarker, Marketing Executive of Square Air Limited, one of the premier helicopter service providers in the country.
He said, the wealthy including VIPs, CIPs, corporate heads, travel agents, and tour operators prefer helicopter journey.
He said Square Air Limited has two (Bell-404 and Robinson R-66) helicopters and air charges are Tk 1,15,000 (excluding 15 per cent VAT) for each hour of flight for seven persons, while for a four-seated Robinson helicopter the companies charge Tk 72,000 (excluding 15 per cent VAT) per hour.
Faruk Hassan, Managing Director of Giant Group, one of the leading export-oriented apparel business houses said the conglomerates, corporate executives; foreign business partners prefer helicopter services to visit factories or projects outside capital to avoid traffic congestion and time consuming journey by road.
He said that is view of the improved economic condition the percentage of travelling people by helicopters has been increasing significantly.
Flight operation officer of Meghna Aviation Ltd said, a traveller can go to visit several locations in the country within a day by a helicopter.
He said the travellers enjoy total privacy. Conduct business as they fly, or relax in comfort and prepare for the next meeting.
He said they are providing highest safety and security to their customers.
Wealthy customers are hiring helicopters for many purposes including marriage ceremony, political campaign, film shooting and advertisement, visiting branches of big companies outside capital and quick movement of patients.
The helicopter companies also maintain the highest standards of professionalism, safety, aircrew training and aircraft maintenance on the ground or in the air.
Square Air Ltd, a sister concern of Square Group, Meghna Aviation Limited, an enterprise of Meghna Group of Industries, BRB Air Limited, South Asian-airlines, Bangla International Airlines Limited, Impress Aviation Limited and R&R Aviation have been providing helicopter services. Nearly 14 helicopters of these companies are carrying people.
The Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) must be informed 48 hours before the flight as the helicopter has no definite route, the flight control tower must be prepared before the flight to communicate easily. But, in emergency cases, the permission is given in 5 to 60 minutes also.
