The forthcoming Telangana assembly elections have sparked a spike in political activity, with major political parties actively planning their campaign tactics. Parties are using helicopters and hired planes to carry their leaders, including national personalities and celebrity campaigners, to enable their extended campaign visits.
Political parties have devised tight itineraries that include hundreds of rallies around the state, necessitating the prompt transportation of their leaders to numerous locations. As a result, demand for helicopters and chartered aircraft has increased, with both private agencies and people being able to rent these air vehicles. This is helped by platforms such as the Suvidha app, which makes the procedure more accessible.
Popular aircraft options include the Bell 407, Airbus 125-H, and Airbus H-130, which may comfortably carry up to five people. Fares for such services normally begin at Rs 1.5 lakh per hour for single-engine helicopters, up to Rs 2.75 lakh per hour for double-engine helicopters.
Both national parties, the Congress and the BJP, are preparing for Telangana campaigns and plan to send in chief ministers and star campaigners from other states. As operators negotiate the restrictions imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), this has lead to a notable growth in demand for helicopters and hired aircraft.
Ministers and key leaders must fly in double-engine helicopters or airplanes, according to strict requirements. Furthermore, pilots operating VIP aircraft must have specified experience requirements in the kind of aircraft or helicopter. The Election Commission is also in charge of helicopter fares.
While the Election Commission stipulates that parties bear all expenses if a star campaigner uses a helicopter for campaigning without endorsing a specific candidate or sharing the stage with a candidate, when the campaign is conducted in the candidate’s name, the costs are split between the party and the candidate. The candidate’s travel time and helicopter rental fees will be counted as election expenditures.
The increased demand for helicopters and chartered planes emphasizes the importance of air travel in modern political campaigning, particularly as parties compete for victory in the impending Telangana Assembly elections.
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