Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Advisor Transport Temjenmemba, Managing Director Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd Capt KNG Nair, Dimapur Airport Director Geetha Sahu and others flag off renewed helicopter services for Nagaland at Dimapur Airport on July 12. (DIPR Photo)
Dimapur, July 12 (MExN): The Nagaland Government has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Thumby Aviation Pvt Ltd to operate the helicopter service in the State for another four years.
The Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio flagged of the renewed Helicopter service from Dimapur Airport on July 12.
Speaking on the occasion, he noted that traveling by chopper was much cheaper and asked Thumby Aviation to provide good services and also reminded them of the regular distribution of schedules.
Rio also underscored the need for two choppers to be operational so that one could be kept for regularly catering to the needs and welfare of the people especially the sick and the elderly.
We also need chopper service during VVIP visits and also for the movement of VIP/official visits in far-flung areas, he added.
Chopper services should also be available especially during the Hornbill festival so that tourists get the opportunity for visiting other scenic locations such as Dzükou valley, the Chief Minister maintained.
With the signing of the MoU for another 4 years, Rio expressed optimism that that Thumby Aviation would be more equipped for rendering services to the people of the State, informed a DIPR report.
Meanwhile, Thumby Aviation Chief Managing Director Capt KNG Nair informed that the company will be operating with 2 Bell 412 Helicopters and another chopper A 109 will be kept on standby.
The chopper has a sitting capacity of 13 passengers plus two pilots while the baggage compartment can carry around 400 pounds of cargo, he said.
The new MoU covers a period of four years from June 26, 2023 to June 26, 2027.
Advisor Transport, Temjenmemba, Airport Director Geetha Sahu, OSD Transport and Aviation, Ababe Ezung, officials from NST Department, and others attended the flagging-off ceremony.
History of Helicopter services in Nagaland
General Manager Nagaland State Transport (NST) Shikaho P Yepthomi, meanwhile, informed that the chopper service was first introduced in the State way back in 1988.
However, it was discontinued after an unfortunate crash in February1989.
The services were re-introduced in 2007 under the personal initiative of Neiphiu Rio and since then, it has been rendering services interrupted services, he added.
Due to the heavy demand of the service, the Government has taken initiative with the MHA and now flying hours have been increased, he added.
As per the NST, which operate the chopper services in the State, flying hours has now been 480 hrs to 1200 hrs with effect from 28.01.2019.
Sector-wise services
According to the Annual Administrative Report (2022-23) of the State Transport Department, the chopper services connect Dimapur Airport with 19 district/divisional headquarters in Nagaland.
The fare chart provided in the report informed that the cost per ticket is dependent on the flying time and ranged from Rs 1225 to Rs 2940 after 75% subsidy. Infants (0-2years) are charged 10% of the subsidised cost of each ticket.
At 1 hour each, the flying times are longest for Dimapur-Tizit and Dimapur-Mon sectors, while it is lowest for Peren and takes 25 minutes.
“Operation of service on every sector shall be subject to availability of atleast 80% of load factors on both ways,” it added.
The carrying capacity for every sector is also dependent upon the load/weight of the passengers with maximum baggage of 5 kg per traveler.
Additionally, the NST has completed 10 civilians’ helipads, while another eight are ongoing, the report said. In areas without civilians’ helipads, those belonging to Army or Para-military forces are used.
