Story ID: 
Indian Capital Delhi Gets New Heliport
By: Neelam Mathews
Caption: Pawan Hans Helicopters is operating a new heliport in the northwest of the Indian capital Delhi.
Word Count: 234
Government-backed Pawan Hans Helicopters recently opened India’s first heliport in the capital Delhi. The facility, which is located on the northwest side of the city, has its own air traffic control tower and fuel supplies. Its opening relieves capacity pressures on the overcrowded Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Pawan Hans has invested approximately $15 million to construct the 100,000-sq-ft heliport terminal. The site offers 323,000 sq ft of apron for parking aircraft and four 10,764-sq-ft hangars. The heliport is currently approved for VFR operations after an initial trial landing was made late last year to assess standard operating procedures.

The Pawan Hans fleet of 50 aircraft operates offshore-industry support missions, as well as business and tourism charter flights. The company has now based 10 of its helicopters at the new heliport, and intends to use this as a base for services provided under India’s new Regional Air Connectivity Scheme.

In February, Airbus Helicopters appointed Pawan Hans as an approved service center for Dauphin and Ecureuil helicopters in India. According to Pawan Hans managing director B.P. Sharma, the agreement will be extended to cover support for operators in south Asian countries.

The Indian government is contemplating a plan to sell its majority stake in the company. Separately, authorities are now considering a plan to establish another heliport at the former Safdarjung Airport in the center of Delhi.