The 5th edition of the Helicopter & Small Aircraft Summit, known as the Heli Summit 2023, took place with great enthusiasm and collaboration. Hosted by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Pawan Hans Ltd., and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the summit had a clear theme – “Reaching the Last Mile: Regional Connectivity through Helicopters & Small Aircraft.”
The summit was dedicated to achieving several crucial objectives. Firstly, it aimed to provide a common platform for industry stakeholders and policymakers to come together and discuss the growth prospects of the Indian Helicopter and Small Aircraft industry. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, the event sought to drive progress in this sector.
One of the key areas of focus was the expansion of the UDAN Scheme in remote and hilly regions, ultimately improving rural-to-urban connectivity across the country. The summit aimed to explore opportunities to enhance Helicopter & Small Aircraft connectivity to areas with existing and potential tourism hotspots, ensuring seamless travel experiences for all.
During the event, Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia launched UDAN 5.2, an upgraded version of the scheme that extended its benefits to helicopters as well. This latest iteration came with significant enhancements, including increased VGF (Viability Gap Funding) and a reduced fare cap for small aircraft. The government’s commitment to providing air travel accessibility to residents in remote regions was evident with the allocation of 22 new routes as part of this launch.
Another notable launch during the Heli Summit was the Heli-Sewa mobile application. This initiative, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Digital India program, aimed to establish a common platform for collaboration between helicopter operators and district authorities. The mobile application promised improved user experience, content loading, and usability functions, bringing greater convenience to its users.
Furthermore, a significant step was taken towards advancing the Helicopter and Small Aircraft sector in India as Pawan Hans and Jetserve signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement signified a crucial partnership that could propel growth and development in this sector.
The civil aviation sector in India has experienced remarkable democratization over the past nine years. Notably, this expansion has not been limited to metropolitan airports and large airlines alone; it has also recognized the vital role played by small town airports, small airlines, and helicopters in driving the industry forward.
In conclusion, the Heli Summit 2023 proved to be a vital event for advancing regional connectivity through helicopters and small aircraft. It showcased the dedication of the government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, to create accessible air travel options for all, even in remote regions. With the signing of the MoU and the launch of the Heli-Sewa mobile application, the future of the Indian aviation industry looks promising and poised for growth.
Chief minister of Madhya Pradesh: Shivraj Singh Chouhan