As campaign for Karnataka Assembly elections kicks in, demand for helicopters soars 

With the election campaign in Karnataka gathering steam ahead of the Assembly polls next month, helicopter rental firms and charter flight operators are in demand for their air assets.

With the election campaign in the State gathering steam ahead of the polls next month, helicopter rental firms and charter flight operators are in demand for their air assets.

As candidates and star campaigners are expected to crisscross across the state, helicopters and charter flights are the preferred mode of transport.

Helicopter rental firms said that they are already receiving queries from political parties and individual politicians who are in the fray.

“Three main political parties the BJP, Congress and the JD(S) have approached us and their leaders are already using our helicopters. We expect the demand for our services will increase as campaigning intensifies in the next few days,” said Jees George, director, Golden Eagle Aviation.

Urban Air Mobility company, BLADE India said they have been getting queries and would be providing their services in the coming days. “As a helicopter service, BLADE gets queries from time to time for campaigns. Being an asset light company, we use Bell 407, Airbus H125 and H130 for our services. Our helicopters typically have a capacity of 4-5 passengers,” said an official from BLADE India.

Apart from Bengaluru-based companies, operators from other states too are likely to fly charter flights and helicopters during the campaign.

Typically, a single engine helicopter can be hired for ₹1.5 lakh for one hour and a twin engine chopper can be hired for ₹2.75 lakh per hour. The operators have to follow rules laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). There are do’s and don’ts which they have to follow during the election season.