While helicopter operators do yeoman’s service in difficult terrain, it is the bigger airlines which are all set to get a larger share of the market that has been created by the Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme launched by the Union government.

The bid of the only helicopter operator, Pawan Hans Ltd, a PSU, got rejected in the first round of bidding as it had put a few conditions. According to sources, PHL wanted more compensation as they said the viability gap fund offered was inadequate to support the cost of operations.

With more airlines likely to jump into the fray for winning bids in the second round of bidding, helicopter operators are likely to find the turf lopsided.

After SpiceJet, IndiGo and Vistara are likely to join the second round of bidding for the regional connectivity scheme routes. The travel industry said there are many destinations in India which are still untouched.

It is learnt that IndiGo will acquire 50 aircraft for UDAN operations and SpiceJet has already acquired 50 aircraft for operating on RCS routes.

Three out of the two airlines which have won the bids for running the RCS routes have medium-sized aircraft like turboprops. While Alliance Air has 10 ATRs, SpiceJet has a fleet of Q400 bombardiers.

Air Odisha has been awarded bids to operate on 50 RCS routes. But sources said the airline which is a non-scheduled operator still has to get aircraft for the RCS operations. Air Odisha is going to acquire a few 19-seater Cessna Grand Caravans for its operations. Both Air Odisha and Air Deccan have been given NOCs by DGCA.

An official said, “The ministry awarded the routes because Air Odisha met all the criteria which were laid down for the UDAN scheme.” He added that the airline has given a timeline of when it will acquire the aircraft and when it will start operations.

Under the criteria that have been laid down, an airline has to start UDAN operations within six months failing which the ministry can issue a showcause notice to the airline.

However, in this melee, helicopter operators which had pinned hopes on getting a share in the market are getting sidelined.

In the hilly regions, the runways are not only smaller but most of the time the necessary area to construct runways is not available. Getting medium-haul aircraft to land on those runways is not easy. These include airports like Pakyong (Sikkim), Shimla and Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh). In Pakyong which is near Gangtok, AAI officials said there is no way that the runway can be extended.

According to the president of Rotary Wing Society of India, Air Vice Marshal (Retd) K Sridharan, helicopters can land easily in these areas.