Madurai readying for helicopter tourism

Madurai: The groundwork for launching helicopter services linking Madurai with tourist destinations in the southern districts has begun.
A high-level team from Pawan Hans Helicopters met the Collector, T. Udhayachandran, and Airport Authority of India officials here on Wednesday to study the feasibility of operating regular helicopter services to nearby tourist spots, including Kodaikanal, Thekkadi and Rameswaram. Efforts are on to introduce the first service on April 14, the Tamil New Year's Day.
The Madurai MP, P. Mohan, who mooted helicopter tourism for Madurai in Parliament during the monsoon session, said the Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel, had assured all support from the Centre.
According to M. Suresh, Airport Controller, the basic infrastructure for accommodating helicopters was available at the Madurai airport. Since helicopters flew at a lower altitude, flight movements would not be affected.
The proposal is to connect Kodaikanal, Palani, Rameswram, Thekkadi and Kanyakumari with 12-seater helicopters.
12/01/07 S. Vijay Kumar/The Hindu

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