New Delhi: With politicians and political party representatives campaigning across the country for the Lok Sabha elections, demand for chartered planes and helicopters has increased by 40 per cent, and operators expect to earn 15-20 per cent more. Industry expert.
Hourly rates for chartered services have also increased. He said the charges for an aircraft are around Rs 4.5-5.25 lakh and for a twin-engine helicopter it is around Rs 1.5-1.7 lakh.
While demand has increased compared to normal times and previous election years, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are available in smaller numbers, with some operators looking to wet lease aircraft and helicopters.
President (Western Region), Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI), said, “The demand for helicopters has increased and during the election period it is up to 25 per cent higher than the normal period.The supply is less than the demand," said Captain Uday Geli.
Generally, political parties use helicopters to reach their candidates and leaders to places, especially remote areas, in less time.
Geely said larger states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are seeing more use of helicopters.
Captain R Bali, Managing Director of Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), said that the demand for chartered planes is 30-40 per cent more than the last general elections.
Chartered aircraft are booked well in advance and operators will want to make maximum use of the aircraft."There is always a gap between supply and demand. Some entities are looking at wet lease aircraft and helicopters to meet the demand," Bali said.
Use of helicopters is charged on an hourly basis and operators usually insist on booking by political parties for specific days and minimum flying hours every day during that period.
“Generally, the hourly rate for single engine helicopters is around Rs 80,000 to 90,000, while for twin engine helicopters it is around Rs 1.5 to 1.7 lakh. During the election, the hourly rate for single engine helicopters and above Up to Rs 1.5 lakh.Rs 3.5 lakh for twin-engine helicopters, Geely said.
A single-engine helicopter has a seating capacity of 7 people, including the pilot, while a twin-engine helicopter has a seating capacity of 12 people.
Prices for a chartered plane can range between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.2 lakh per hour.
Bali said that during the elections, the earnings of chartered plane operators are likely to be 15-20 percent higher than during normal times.
According to official data, there were 112 non-scheduled operators (NSOPs) at the end of December 2023.Generally, NSOPs are entities that do not have any particular fixed schedule and fly as and when required.
These operators have aircraft and helicopters with seating capacities ranging from 3 to 37. According to the data, these aircraft include Falcon 2000, Bombardier Global 5000, Twin Otter DHC-6-300, Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream G-200 and Cessna Citation 560XL. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to the party's annual audit accounts for 2019-20 submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the ruling BJP spent a total of over Rs 250 crore on aircraft helicopters.The amount spent by the Congress party for election travel expenses in 2019-20 was more than Rs 126 crore. The party did not mention aircraft/helicopter expenses separately in its annual audited accounts for the financial year.
The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 19 and will run for 44 days across 10.5 lakh polling stations. Elections will be held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.Lok Sabha elections were held in April and May in 2019.
Hourly rates for chartered services have also increased. He said the charges for an aircraft are around Rs 4.5-5.25 lakh and for a twin-engine helicopter it is around Rs 1.5-1.7 lakh.
While demand has increased compared to normal times and previous election years, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are available in smaller numbers, with some operators looking to wet lease aircraft and helicopters.
President (Western Region), Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI), said, “The demand for helicopters has increased and during the election period it is up to 25 per cent higher than the normal period.The supply is less than the demand," said Captain Uday Geli.
Generally, political parties use helicopters to reach their candidates and leaders to places, especially remote areas, in less time.
Geely said larger states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are seeing more use of helicopters.
Captain R Bali, Managing Director of Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), said that the demand for chartered planes is 30-40 per cent more than the last general elections.
Chartered aircraft are booked well in advance and operators will want to make maximum use of the aircraft."There is always a gap between supply and demand. Some entities are looking at wet lease aircraft and helicopters to meet the demand," Bali said.
Use of helicopters is charged on an hourly basis and operators usually insist on booking by political parties for specific days and minimum flying hours every day during that period.
“Generally, the hourly rate for single engine helicopters is around Rs 80,000 to 90,000, while for twin engine helicopters it is around Rs 1.5 to 1.7 lakh. During the election, the hourly rate for single engine helicopters and above Up to Rs 1.5 lakh.Rs 3.5 lakh for twin-engine helicopters, Geely said.
A single-engine helicopter has a seating capacity of 7 people, including the pilot, while a twin-engine helicopter has a seating capacity of 12 people.
Prices for a chartered plane can range between Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 5.2 lakh per hour.
Bali said that during the elections, the earnings of chartered plane operators are likely to be 15-20 percent higher than during normal times.
According to official data, there were 112 non-scheduled operators (NSOPs) at the end of December 2023.Generally, NSOPs are entities that do not have any particular fixed schedule and fly as and when required.
These operators have aircraft and helicopters with seating capacities ranging from 3 to 37. According to the data, these aircraft include Falcon 2000, Bombardier Global 5000, Twin Otter DHC-6-300, Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream G-200 and Cessna Citation 560XL. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
According to the party's annual audit accounts for 2019-20 submitted to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the ruling BJP spent a total of over Rs 250 crore on aircraft helicopters.The amount spent by the Congress party for election travel expenses in 2019-20 was more than Rs 126 crore. The party did not mention aircraft/helicopter expenses separately in its annual audited accounts for the financial year.
The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 19 and will run for 44 days across 10.5 lakh polling stations. Elections will be held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.Lok Sabha elections were held in April and May in 2019.
