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Now, get your chopper on EMIs
P R Sanjai in Bangalore
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February 12, 2007 09:40 IST

If you find that travelling in your Mercedes-Benz takes a lot of time, why don't you fly in your own chopper instead? Like your uber Merc, the copter too can be purchased on a monthly instalment scheme.

The France-based Eurocopter has decided to target luxury car owners to persuade them to pick up a chopper as well. Over 2,000 Mercs are sold in the country every year, with prices ranging from Rs 28 lakh (Rs 2.8 million) to over Rs 1 crore (Rs 10 million).

Eurocopter will tie up financing for customers to buy their helicopters. Industry sources say that you need to pay an upfront 10 per cent of the cost of the helicopter (the price of an entry level model chopper can begin from Rs 9 crore).

The balance, in case you opt for a 10-year loan, could work out to an EMI of Rs 750,000. Some helicopter companies are also facilitating financing options for customers. For instance, US-based Bell Helicopters has a subsidiary, Bell Helicopters Finance Corporation, to assist clients.

"Apart from high networth individuals, we are getting enquiries from corporates, governments, hospital chains, among others," said a senior Eurocopter executive.

"At present, India has only 160 civilian helicopters. In the next five years, the country will have about 1,000 helicopters, apart from those used by the armed forces," he added.

Besides Bell Helicopters and Eurocopter, leading manufacturers include the US-based Sikorsky and Italian major Agusta Westland, which are all making a beeline to grab a chunk of the Indian market.

AJS Walia, Chief Executive Officer of AeroStar Aviation, which distributes Sikorsky helicopters, says the chopper is a versatile machine to beat road traffic congestion.

Corporate majors such as Reliance Industries, Sahara Group and almost all mine owners of the country are in talks with the helicopter manufacturers.

UB Group is also in talks with companies to acquire helicopters to start a shuttle service between the old Bangalore airport to the new proposed international airport. Powered by

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