PAWAN HANS is planning to acquire ten additional helicopters this year as part of a plan to start operations in the remote north east of India and to extend commercial services in support of tourism.
The Indian state-owned helicopter operator has set aside a $31 million investment to purchase the helicopters, to bolster a fleet which now consists of 20 Aerospatiale Dauphins, one Bell 206 L4 and two Robinson R44s. It also has two Mil Mi-17s on lease.
In 1994-5, Pawan Hans posted a net profit of $11.4 million after some years of poor performance.
Source: Flight International
