Heritage Aviation is all set to expand its helicopter services across Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region under the RCS-Udan scheme. Rohit Mathur, CEO of the Delhi-based company and the first NSOP chopper operator under Udan, announced plans to launch daily flights from Dehradun to Nainital and Bageshwar in the next two to three weeks.
Heritage Aviation hopes to connect almost every district in Kumaon with these new flights. Under the same plan, the firm currently offers frequent flights from Haldwani to Champawat, Pithoragarh, Almora, and Munsiyari. Mathur promised that their priority will be on safe and flawless operations while complying to the Udan framework, despite the difficulties presented by the rough terrain and erratic weather.
Given the remoteness of many Himalayan locations, Mathur underlined their dedication to helping both residents and visitors. In addition to giving a lifeline to isolated locations, the helicopter services are extremely helpful in emergency situations and give tourists a quick and pleasant way to see the area.
The Government of India controls fares under the RCS-Udan program. To guarantee affordability, Heritage Aviation, however, sells tickets at a discount to the government-fixed rates. For example, the authorised rate is INR 5,000, but the company charges INR 4,000 for routes like Haldwani-Munsiyari and Haldwani-Pithoragarh. Also, the Haldwani-Champawat route charges INR 2,500, which is significantly less than the allowed INR 3,500.
Read more: Arunachal Pradesh to restore World War II remnants at Nampong to boost tourism
Heritage Aviation, operational since 2009 as a charter helicopter service, began its Udan journey in January 2024. The company now plans to expand further into Uttarakhand’s Garhwal region and extend its reach to Himachal Pradesh in the near future. To meet growing demand, the company has bolstered its fleet by ordering two Airbus helicopters—one already delivered and the other expected soon.
Mathur also highlighted policy changes introduced in 2021 that allowed NSOP operators to participate in Udan’s bidding process, facilitating greater connectivity. Heritage Aviation continues to engage with the Ministry of Civil Aviation to streamline processes and expand its reach to even more remote regions.
Read more: 10 most photogenic cities around the world
Heritage Aviation is revolutionising travel in Uttarakhand by improving connectivity and providing reasonable pricing, making it easier for locals and tourists to reach far-flung Himalayan locations.