Chandigarh to Shimla heli-taxi service now six days a week

MOHALI: Discontinued last year due to poor response, the heli-taxi service between Chandigarh and Shimla now flies six days a week. It was reintroduced from Shimla in March this year. Chandigarh to Shimla heli-taxi service was started from June 4, 2018, but stopped a few months later.
As of March 1, the service on this route is resumed. Pawan Hans has deputed a 20-seater helicopter on the route. The minimum fare is Rs 2,880 per seat. The total journey time is just 30 minutes. Previously, it was three days a week but it has been extended to six days a week from around 14 days back, said an official spokesperson of Pawan Hans Helicopter Services at Chandigarh.
Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur had flagged off the chopper under the central government’s UDAN 2 regional connectivity scheme. The chopper, that can transport 20 passengers, takes off from Chandigarh at 10 am to reach Jubbarhatti airport at Shimla at 10.30 am and thereafter takes off from Shimla at10:55am and reached Chandigarh at11:25am.
“To start with, the 30-minute flight was offered thrice a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. But thereafter after watching the popularity, the chopper services has been increased to six days a week,” said official spokesperson of Pawan Hans Helicopter Services at Chandigarh.
As per schedule, the chopper will take off from Chandigarh at10am and land in Shimla at10.30am. It will start its return from Shimla at 10.55am and reach Chandigarh airport at 11.25am.
The tickets can be booked online on https://booking.pawanhans.co.in, and also be bought at the ticket window of the airports.
Airport officials said the flight was discontinued earlier due to poor response, but they were expecting a better turnout in summer as tourists make a beeline for Shimla.
The distance between Chandigarh and Shimla is 113 km. It takes around 4 hour’s journey by road.
Pawan Hans spokesperson said they have a baggage policy for passengers to travel at heli-taxi. Check-in baggage allowance for helicopter travel is 10 kg per passenger, cabin baggage and excess baggage is not allowed in helicopter flights. One normal size baggage such as purse, one laptop per passenger is allowed to be carried in the cabin.