Convenient, time-saving: Pune-Mumbai private helicopter services on rise amid airline disruptions, rising road congestion

“There are two categories of helicopters operating here, single-engine and twin-engine,” said Ishwarchandra Gulgule, director of Kagiu Aviation. “Single-engine helicopters are mostly used by businessmen, while twin-engine helicopters are used by ministers and VIPs protected by security.”

Highlighting the efficiency of using chartered helicopters, he said,: “My client had a meeting in Mumbai at 10 am. He took off from Pune at 8 am and reached Juhu before 9 am. The meeting ended at 12.30 pm, and he was back in Pune by 2 pm.” He added that after the IndiGo crisis, more people are opting for private services.

Round-trip costs over Rs 4.5 lakh

According to operators, a single-engine helicopter for a Pune–Mumbai–Pune journey costs around Rs 4.5 lakh plus GST and can accommodate four to five passengers. Twin-engine helicopters can cost over Rs 8 lakh plus GST per trip, depending on aircraft availability and operational requirements. Some companies also offer empty-leg options (flying without passengers), with prices starting at around Rs 25,000.

Vishwaraj Chakote, founder of Vishwaraj Aviation, said helicopter charters typically operate around three round-trips per week and are largely driven by time-sensitive travel needs. “People choose helicopters to avoid traffic and reach meetings on time. It is a premium service, but for those who value time, the cost becomes secondary,” he said. Referring to the recent IndiGo disruptions, Chakote added, “We saw a clear shift from scheduled airlines to private aviation. When nearly 150 to 200 aircraft were grounded at Mumbai airport, helicopter travel emerged as a reliable alternative, reinforcing how this sector is rapidly evolving.”

Recalling his experience as a regular user of the service, medical practitioner Dr Sabir Shaikh said, “It’s a great and very time-efficient service. I have used it several times myself, which is why I recommended it to my mother-in-law and brother-in-law. Normally, the drive from Mira Road to Pune takes about four and a half hours, but they reached Pune in just 40 minutes and were home within an hour.”

‘4-hour trip completed in 40 minutes’

Sharing his experience, actor and content creator Aaryak Pathak said, “I travelled from Pune to Mumbai. It was a crazy experience! It was my first time using this service. I was headed for a shoot in Juhu. I also wanted to share the unique experience with my audience. The journey that usually takes around four hours, we completed in just 40 minutes. It was a fun ride, and the reel we made from it got almost a million views.”

Operators, however, noted that airline disruptions act as catalysts rather than long-term drivers of change. These services are typically used by politicians, celebrities and businessmen looking for premium and time-efficient travel options. Single-engine helicopters operating on this route include models such as Airbus H125, H130, AW119, Bell 407 and Bell 206 L4, while twin-engine models include Airbus H135, H145, H160, Bell 429 and Bell 412.

Flights to Shirdi, Nashik, Lonavala

Pune-based helicopter operations take place from helipads at Koregaon Park Annexe and Viman Nagar, while Mumbai operations are mainly from Juhu Airport and the Mahalaxmi Racecourse helipad. Beyond the Pune–Mumbai route, helicopters are also chartered for destinations such as Shirdi, Nashik, Lonavala, Aamby Valley and Mahabaleshwar. The flight time between Pune and Mumbai generally ranges between 45 minutes and one hour.

Flyyo India, a Mumbai-based aviation company founded by Akash Nale, also launched an on-demand helicopter charter service on the Pune–Mumbai route in November, operating a single-engine helicopter Airbus H125 and promising travel times of 30 to 35 minutes.

Speaking about the service, Nale said, “People frequently travel between the two cities and often spend hours on the road due to traffic. The idea was to provide a time-saving option for those with important meetings or corporate events.” He recalled a last-minute booking for a wedding, adding, “The groom had to urgently travel from Mumbai to Pune for the wedding muhurat. The helicopter took off at 10.30 am and reached the venue just before 11.10 am, allowing the ceremony to proceed exactly on time.”

Industry operators believe helicopter travel between Pune and Mumbai will continue to grow, with helicopters increasingly being viewed not just as a luxury but as a practical solution for time-sensitive travel, especially as peak-hour road journeys often stretch far beyond expected timelines.

Ruta Patil is an intern with The Indian Express.