Mysuru: Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram-based Thumby Aviation Pvt. Ltd. will extend its popular ‘Helitaxi’ services from Kempegowda International Airport Limited (KIAL) in Bengaluru to Mysuru, Madikeri and Chikkamagalur.

The firm has already started its Helitaxi services from KIAL to Electronics City in Bengaluru where there is concentration of Information Technology companies. The service is quite popular among tech companies as their CEOs and foreign visitors can fly to Electronics City in minutes instead of spending over two hours on the road. The fare for each passenger in the seven-seater (six passengers and a pilot) Helitaxi is about Rs. 3,500 with additional taxes.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Govind Nair, Director, Business Development of Thumby Aviation said that they would start the service soon. “These are not regular services but chartered ones that are available on demand. We have seen success in operating from KIAL  to Electronics City and we will expand to Mysuru, Madikeri and Chikkamagalur in phases,” he said.

When asked about the likely date of launch, Nair said that their teams are working on the modalities of chopper operations. “Our in-house assessment has revealed that there has been a considerable traffic flow from KIAL to smaller towns, especially Mysuru. As a majority of commuters either use the special KSRTC bus or hire taxies, we see an opportunity here to provide faster travelling means,” he added.

Thumby Aviation that offers other services like Trivandrum Darshan and Heli-Tour packages will commence operations from HAL Airport in Bengaluru either by this month end or in the first week of July. “Our team will finalise operations on Mysuru, Madikeri and Chikkamagalur,” he added.

At present, people travelling to Mysuru from KIAL either take a swanky Fly Bus that is operated by KSRTC or hire a taxi. Though the bus journey is comfortable, one constant complaint from the commuters is that it takes at least two to three hours for the Fly Bus to reach Mysuru. Once the Helitaxi service starts, it is likely to give a tough competition to KSRTC and private taxies as commuters may opt for an option where the travel time is fast.