Operations to be conducted from Old Goa helipad to five locations
Padmavati Prabhu
Panaji : In a boost to adventure tourism in Goa, the Tourism Department will soon begin helicopter joyrides from the Old Goa helipad to five locations in the state – Aguada Fort, Tiracol Fort, Dudhsagar Waterfall, Mopa airport and Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Jeevottam Math.
The helipad facility has been developed under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme by the department at Ella, Old Goa to enhance tourism infrastructure and promote aerial connectivity and tourism experiences.
The facility comprises one landing pad along with a parking space for four helicopters. To operationalise the facility and ensure its efficient management and maintenance, the department has decided to appoint a private operator (licensee) for undertaking operations, management and maintenance of the helipad, including non-scheduled air transport services (helicopter charter operations) along with other permissible allied aero-tourism activities, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.
The department said the operator shall utilise the helipad landing and parking spaces for providing non-scheduled air transport operations including helicopter charters. It should deploy at least one helicopter whose carrying capacity is not less than five passengers, with required statutory clearances for operational safety from the DGCA, BCAS and Ministry of Defence, among others.
The operator is however free to decide on route, duration of the ride, and any other operational details subject to feasibility and customer demand.
The operator shall operate the joyrides for a minimum of 150 days per annum during the term of the agreement, subject to fair weather conditions, clear visibility of the range prescribed by the DGCA and clearance by the ATC.
The operator is allowed to undertake additional services within the project site, as feasible, such as helicopter training school, café or food court, among others.
