Heritage Aviation is set to launch a new helicopter service in Uttarakhand starting from March 11, 2025, aimed at enhancing travel across the state. The service, which operates under the central government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, will connect key cities including Dehradun, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Haldwani, effectively bridging the distance between Kumaon and Garhwal. This initiative promises to offer travellers a fast and seamless travel experience, alleviating the need for long, exhausting road journeys in the hilly terrain.
Currently, a road trip from Dehradun to Nainital takes approximately 6 to 7 hours; however, the helicopter service will complete the same journey in just 50 minutes. Similarly, other routes will provide passengers with a quicker and more comfortable travel alternative, cutting down travel times significantly across the state.
The service will operate using 7-seater helicopters, with two daily flights available on each route. The flight schedule includes departures from Dehradun to Nainital, Dehradun to Bageshwar, and Haldwani to Bageshwar, with ticket prices ranging from INR 3,500 to INR 4,500, excluding GST. The availability of such a service is expected to bring a much-needed boost to both tourism and business travel in Uttarakhand, while also making it easier for local residents to commute.
Heritage Aviation, the only private helicopter company in India to offer daily services under the UDAN scheme, already operates flights from Haldwani to Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Munsiyari. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its services further with new routes connecting Dehradun to Tehri, Srinagar, and Gauchar. The aim is to enhance connectivity within Uttarakhand, connecting both major and minor towns under the UDAN framework.
This service is also expected to be highly beneficial in emergency situations, ensuring that medical or other urgent services can reach remote areas with greater speed.
