Deccan will introduce the heli-shuttle service between the airport and a central location in the city once the new airport is operational on March 16. A similar service is planned between Shamshabad and Hitec City. While it takes half-an-hour to reach Hitec City by road from Shamshabad, a helicopter ride could take less than 10 minutes. Similarly, the city centre could be reached by air in about 15 minutes as compared to 40 to 60 minutes by road.

“We plan to introduce the heli-shuttle service as soon as the new international airport is inaugurated. We are right now working on the logistics of the project,” Deccan executive chairman, Capt. G R Gopinath, told this correspondent. The Deccan chief said the company would be operating similar heli-shuttle services between the upcoming international airport in Bangalore and the city centre. Initially, two helicopters would be used in Bangalore and one in Hyderabad.

“It will be a six-seater copter plus the pilot. We will increase the number of helicopters for the Hyderabad service to two at a later date,” Capt. Gopinath said. While the Hitec City route has been decided upon, a suitable location is being identified for a helipad in a central location in the city. “The heli-shuttle service is not a mass transport solution but is basically meant to cater to a certain section of air passengers,” Capt. Gopinath pointed out.