Global Vectra plans big for on-shore charters business

Private helicopter company Global Vectra Helicorp (GVHL) planned expansion into the on-shore charter business, said Allan Brown, CEO, GVHL, at the commissioning of the company's new hanger and maintenance facility at an investment of Rs 7 crore at the Juhu Helibase in Mumbai today.

The facility will be used for the overhaul and maintenance of its fleet of 19 Bell 412 copters.

The company's has been offering dedicated off-shore air logistics support since its inception in 1998, but the company has of late forayed into on-shore charter services with one EC135 helicopter for its corporate clients.

The company has now plans to add three more EC135 for the business. These choppers will be used for on-shore services.

It plans to invest $60 million for the first batch of seven copters which it might acquire by the end of the current financial year, according to Brown.

He added, "We would be getting into heli-tourism, flying executives and into airport shuttle services."

Talking about heli-tourism and airport shuttle services, Brown said that the company was looking at areas difficult to access in the northern region and also at other hilly terrains.

For the airport shuttle services, GVHL might target such airports as the Bangalore International Airport and the Hyderabad International Airport which have the access issue and were situated far from the city, Brown said.

The company also plans to add three AS B3s, a seismic servicing aircraft to its fleet for assist in mineral exploration with the sensors attached for deposits.

It is also planning a rights issue to fund expansion.