Madurai now offers helicopter rides to pilgrimage and tourist sites across India
MADURAI: Residents and visitors of Madurai can now fly to any tourist destination or pilgrimage centre across India, as VIL Aviation launched its helicopter operations in the temple city on Thursday. The new service aims to reduce travel time significantly and boost tourism in southern Tamil Nadu.
The VIL Heli Station, the company's operations base, was inaugurated at Nagarathinam Angalammal Arts and Science College near Madurai Airport. Thiagarajar Mills Managing Director K. Hari Thiagarajan, who inaugurated the facility, said the new service would give impetus to the growth of the tourism industry in the region.
“Helicopter services will save time. For instance, a pilgrimage from Madurai to Sabarimala with same-day return is now possible,” he said, adding that he had used VIL helicopter services earlier and found them safe, with experienced pilots capable of handling operations in hilly regions and during adverse weather conditions.
Since Madurai is a major tourism hub, the service is expected to help tourists and pilgrims make quick visits to nearby destinations such as Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, and Kodaikanal. Mr. Hari also suggested that VIL Aviation turn Madurai into a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hub for helicopters, which could create further economic opportunities.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the college and VIL Aviation, which Mr. Hari said would benefit students. He also underlined the need to establish a pilot training institution in Madurai.
K.T. Srinivasa Raja, Managing Director of Adayar Ananda Bhavan, said the new facility would generate more job opportunities in the region.
VIL Aviation, founded in 2020, currently operates four helicopters, each with a capacity of five passengers. Its director, Mohammed R.S. Hameed, said Coimbatore, Chennai, and Rameswaram had high potential for helicopter services given limited flight connectivity. “With limited flight services, helicopters can be useful for emergency response, business, tourism, and pilgrimages, assuring same-day return,” he added.
The company has tie-ups with approximately 600 helipads across the country, allowing its helicopters to land close to destinations. “We can land at any school ground with prior intimation to the district administration,” Mr. Hameed said.
From Madurai, the helicopters can take passengers to any part of the country. According to Mr. Hameed, within the first two hours of travel, people can reach destinations as far as Pune. The charge for flying is ₹1.60 lakh per hour. For example, reaching Kodaikanal would take 30 minutes, while Tiruchendur and Coimbatore are accessible in 20 minutes.
Industrialists V. Neethi Mohan and N. Jagatheesan were present at the launch.
The introduction of helicopter services aligns with the growing trend of regional air connectivity in India, particularly for religious tourism and emergency travel. While commercial airlines dominate long-distance travel, helicopters offer a niche solution for short, time-sensitive journeys, especially in areas with challenging terrain or limited airport infrastructure.
With Madurai being a gateway to several prominent temples and hill stations, the service is expected to attract both domestic and international tourists, providing them with more flexible travel options. However, the high hourly rate may limit access to a select group of travellers, leaving the broader impact on mass tourism to be seen.
