Date:25/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/02/25/stories/2006022503680500.htm

Back Deccan Aviation buys Bell copter

Our Bureau

Bangalore, Feb. 24

Air Deccan's parent company Deccan Aviation has acquired its tenth helicopter, a Bell 407, to service its charter business.

The Air Deccan Managing Director, Capt G.R. Gopinath, told newspersons that its charter service operates out of eight bases across the country, besides one in Colombo. He said the demand for helicopters was over 2,000 helicopters in the country though only 100 were in operation.

He said his company would add more helicopters shortly. Deccan Aviation expects its revenues to jump 25 per cent to around Rs 50 crore for the current fiscal.

He said company's operations in Colombo were carried out by a separate entity there. The Sri Lankan Government has also given permission to its joint venture to start international operations from Colombo, which is expected to take off in another six months, Capt Gopinath said.