Shimla: Himachal Pradesh tourism and civil aviation department has convened a meeting of ten airline operators on November 18 to revive heli-taxi service in the state to attract high-end tourists.
The state government wants to set up helipads near Shimla, Dharamsala and Manali, sources said.
Airline operators say the main obstacle appears to be lack of parking facility like hangars at these places for their helicopters.
Operators who have shown interest include Mesco Airlines, Global Vectra, Pawan Hans, Virat Aviation, Acro Tech Aviation, Shiva Heli Services ad Pawan Hans.
A parking and landing site has already been identified on the Sanjauli-Dhalli bypass and similar sites are being identified near Manali and Dharamsala, said Subhshish Panda, outgoing director, tourism and civil aviation. Earlier, the Army had objected to use of Annandale ground as landing site.
The department has identified 57 helipads in the state for the heli-taxi service, he said.
