Tag: helicopter

  • Helicopter operator profits up 11 percent

    Helicopter operator profits up 11 percent

    Vietnam Helicopter Corporation’s profits rose by 11 percent to VND263 billion (US$11.3 million) last year despite the severe impact Covid-19 had on the aviation industry.

    It saw a 6.7 percent drop in revenues to VND2.08 trillion.

    The company transports cargo and people, trains pilots, imports aviation devices, and offers firefighting services.

    Owned by the Ministry of National Defense, it has seven affiliates and subsidiaries and a charter capital of VND3.98 trillion.

    It charges $3,650-7,300 for an hour of chartered flying.

  • FastGo announces Vietnam’s first helicopter ride-sharing service

    FastGo announces Vietnam’s first helicopter ride-sharing service

    Vietnamese ride-hailing firm FastGo plans to launch the country’s first helicopter ride-sharing service in Hanoi this month, focusing on tourism in northern provinces.

    CEO Nguyen Huu Tuat told that FastSky’s first flight will take off on April 25.

    With 12 passengers to a helicopter, FastSky will operate tours from Hanoi to northern tourist destinations such as the Red River and Ha Long Bay.

    “Apart from SkyTour, we’ll also operate SkyWedding services for wedding photography and SkySOS for emergencies in which helicopters will land on Hanoi skyscrapers to pick up patients,” Tuat said.

    Prices vary for each service. A tour will cost a minimum of $125 per person, which can be paid in installments over a period of 12 months.

    Tuat said: “We offer premium services for business people but also want everyone to have a chance to fly. FastSky will be a game-changer in the transport industry.”

    FastGo only provides technology solutions while helicopters and pilots are provided by a partner who is permitted to fly in Vietnam, he said, but declined to reveal the company’s name.

    FastGo began operations last June, a few months after Uber announced its exit from Southeast Asia.

    The company, part of Vietnamese technology start-up NextTech Group, expanded to Myanmar last December.

    It plans to launch operations in Singapore this month and in five other countries in the region, including Indonesia and the Philippines, by the end of the year.

    With almost 60,000 drivers on board, the company claims to be the second most popular ride-hailing firm in Vietnam after Grab.

  • Leonardo ready to expand helicopter sales to Indonesia

    Leonardo ready to expand helicopter sales to Indonesia

    Italian aerospace, defense and security company Leonardo-Finmeccanica sees an opportunity to expand its presence in Indonesia with sales of its helicopter products, company officials said here on Thursday.

    Head of Region for Leonardo Helicopters Lorenzo Pariani said here at the Indo Defense Expo 2016, Thursday, that Indonesia has a dynamic market to fill the needs of civilian and military users of Leonardos products.

    “Indonesia is a big archipelago. You have specific needs that we could develop together,” Lorenzo said.

    At the end of 2015, Leonardo had delivered an AW139 helicopter to the Indonesian Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) for humanitarian and rescue missions.

    Basarnas was Leonardos first Indonesian costumer in the form of a government agency.

    “This is like an ice breaker because we want to sell more of our helicopters,” Lorenzo said.

    The Indonesian Air Force has also chosen Leonardos AW101 helicopter, which serves as a multi-purpose helicopter, with sufficient haulage and is projected to conduct missions as a heavy-lift helicopter to increase the mobility of troops and logistics.

    Several private operators in Indonesia have also been using Leonardos helicopter such as Susi Air with AW109 and AW119, and Travira Air, which opted for a larger AW139.

    “Were also ready to have cooperation in transfer of technology with Indonesia,” Lorenzo said.

    Leonardo has sold more than 1,000 units of helicopters globally, while this year, the company has received 15 confirmed orders for helicopters from the Indonesian costumers, he said.

    Meanwhile, Leonardos Vice President of Market and Business Development, as well as Head of Region Southeast Asia, Bruno Bertella said that Leonardo and the Indonesian Military have been partners for around 20 years.

    Leonardo has provided the Indonesian armed forces with a sophisticated defense system, such as an electronic defense systems, torpedos, warship cannons in various calibres.

    “We hope to be able to provide a heavy weight torpedo for the Indonesian submarine which was recently built in South Korea,” Bruno said.

    The Indo Defense Expo and Forum 2016 is currently being held in Jakarta from Nov 2 to 5, in which a total of 844 companies, including 573 foreign companies and 271 domestic ones, are participating.

    Indonesias Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said the exhibition is expected to benefit not only the defense field but also the countrys economy and research and technology development.

  • Indonesian charter operator orders 30 Bell Jetranger X

    Indonesian charter operator orders 30 Bell Jetranger X

    The aircraft will be used for air taxi operations throughout Indonesia and its more than 14,000 islands.

    PT Whitesky Aviation is a Jakarta based company specialising in non-scheduled (charter) flight. The company currently operates a fleet of six Bell Helicopter aircraft, including three Bell 429s and three Bell 407s.

    “This signing is testament to the growing demand for the Bell 505, especially in the corporate and VIP sectors,” said Matt Hasik, executive vice president of commercial business for Bell Helicopters. “There are now more than 380 letters of intent around the globe, and more than 130 Bell 505 LOIs in the Asia Pacific Region alone.”

    The Bell 505 is the company’s long mooted Bell Jetranger 206 entry-level replacement. With a cruise speed of 125 knots (232 km/h), range of 360 nautical miles (667 km) and useful load of 1,500 pounds (608 kg), the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and easy to fly while remaining affordably priced.

  • Uber Introduces Helicopter Service in Indonesia

    Uber Introduces Helicopter Service in Indonesia

    California-based ride-sharing app Uber, in collaboration with local aviation service PremiAir, is introducing helicopter service in Indonesia on Friday, offering a new way to travel amid Jakarta’s heavy congestion.

    The service, which called UberCHOPPER, is the first helicopter charter service in Indonesia that is accessible for anyone through car-hailing app Uber application.

    “PremiAir is excited for UberCHOPPER, a collaboration between PremiAir and Uber apps. We introduce an alternative transportation, catering our market needs on flexibility and comforts travel between or within the city,” Tony D. Hadi, PremiAir managing director, said in a statement.

    UberCHOPPER has previously been available in New York, Austin, Cannes and Hong Kong.

    “Uber is all about bringing amazing experiences to people on-demand using the power of new technology – whether it’ a safe, reliable ride around Jakarta, opportunities to pitch ideas to venture capitalists or an aerial tour of the city,” Karun Arya, Uber spokesperson, said.

    UberCHOPPER is free of charge for today. The app users can order the service through the app then wait for Uber’s premium car to pick them up to helicopter pick-up points in Jakarta–which available in Grand Indonesia in Central Jakarta or Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta.

    “With UberChopper we aim to give a number of lucky riders the ability to experience a unique helicopter ride, touring Jakarta skies and witness the breathtaking views of the city at the push of a button.”

    Uber also invited some people, who considered influential, to try out Uber Chopper service. Artist such as Tarra Budiman, RAN, Kunto Aji, Rene Suhartono, Ernanda Son, Olivia Blue and fashion blogger Rachel Theresia were among the first to try the premium service. Especially for the influencers, Uber provides flight from Halim Airport to Grand Indonesia.