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Press Release

Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurates Heli Summit 2023; UDAN 5.2 and HeliSewa App launched in Khajuraho

Jul 26, 2023

UDAN 5.2 focuses on achieving last-mile connectivity through small aircrafts

KHAJURAHO, 26 July 2023: Mr Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Minister of Civil Aviation and Steel, Govt of India yesterday said, “India’s Civil Aviation sector has been democratized in the last nine years. Along with the increase in the number of airports, there has been a vast expansion in terms of aircraft and the market size. And in this expansion, big metro airports and large airlines, are as important as small-town airports, small airlines and helicopters.”

Addressing the 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit (Heli Summit 2023), organized by FICCI, jointly with the Ministry of Civil Aviation along with Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Ltd, Mr Scindia said, “Today we have launched UDAN 5.2 for helicopters and under this we have increased the VGF and reduced the fare cap. Along with this, we have also started a single window service platform ‘HeliSewa’. Through this, the operator will be able to get all the approvals from ATC on your mobile.”

Mr Scindia further stated that we have also started UDAN 5.2 for small aircraft and have awarded 22 routes, which underlines the fact that air travel facility is being made available to citizens living in remote areas, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Mr Vishnu Datt Sharma, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Khajuraho said that the Summit has put Khajuraho, the world-famous tourist destination, on the map for its new pilot training center, and promises to elevate its recognition both in India and across the globe.

The addition of the helicopter pilot training center, along with two pilot training centers, has been a tremendous gift for Bundelkhand and the Khajuraho Lok Sabha constituency. This development will not only enhance the region's accessibility but also promote the aviation sector, opening new opportunities for economic growth and development.

One of the key benefits of the newly launched helicopter training center is the anticipated increase in helicopter connectivity to nearby cities. This enhancement will significantly improve emergency medical services and disaster management capabilities during crucial situations like floods, rescue operations, and other emergencies.

Mr Rajiv Bansal, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India emphasized the importance of the expansion in the civil aviation sector and stated that the Summit's broader focus is a testament to the government's commitment to the growth and advancement of the aviation sector. By incorporating small aircraft into the summit's agenda, the government aims to provide opportunities for various stakeholders to collaborate, innovate, and explore new avenues of growth. He also assured all stakeholders that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is looking forward in collaborating with state governments, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities, and other stakeholders of the aviation industry.

Mr Shailesh Pathak, Secretary General, FICCI, in his remarks shed light on the remarkable journey of small aircraft in India, emphasizing the transformative impact they have had on the nation since the inception of the #UDANScheme in 2016-17. Mr Pathak applauded the long tradition of small aircraft in India, tracing the journey from the early days when the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme was yet to take flight to the present, where these aircraft have become a catalyst for socio-economic development. The growth and expansion of the small aircraft sector have been nothing short of remarkable, creating job opportunities and fostering new avenues of growth that positively transform lives, he added.

Besides other dignitaries, the summit was attended by Mr Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary, Culture and Tourism & Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh; Mr Chandramauli Shukla, Commissioner, Civil Aviation, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh Additional Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Mr Asangba Chuba Ao, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

UDAN 5.2 has been launched for further enhancing the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country and achieving last-mile connectivity through small aircraft such as 1A (<9 seats) and Category 1(<20 seats), he noted.

The HeliSewa Portal is an initiative of the Ministry of Civil Aviation under Digital India to create a common platform to create an ecosystem between the helicopter operators and the district authorities. The mobile application will make it more convenient to use in terms of user experience, loading content, and usability of functions.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pawan Hans and FlyOla was signed for advancing the Helicopter and Small Aircraft sector in India.

The theme of 5th Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit (Heli Summit 2023) ‘Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft’. The event included an inaugural session followed by a technical session. The broad objectives of the Summit were:

● Providing a common platform for all industry stakeholders, and policymakers to discuss the growth story of the Indian Helicopter and Small Aircraft industry.

●  Enhancing the scope of the UDAN Scheme in remote and hilly terrains and expanding the country's rural-to-urban connectivity.

●  Boosting Helicopter & Small Aircraft connectivity to places with existing and potential tourism hotspots by providing uninterrupted services.

 

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