BLADE India launches same day return helicopter services for Tirumala Tirupati pilgrims 

FlyBlade India, a joint venture between Hunch Ventures and BLADE Air Mobility, Inc. has launched same day return helicopter services connecting Bengaluru to Tirupati Airport as part of its expansion plan. The flights are available ‘on demand’ basis and are available at INR 3,50,000 + GST accommodating 5 guests at a time which can be crowdsourced and/or booked via charter. Onward journey from the Bangalore airport shall start in the morning hours between 09:15 am to 09:30 am from HAL, whereas the return flights will be in the evening between 04:00 pm to 4:15 pm.  

The service aims at enhancing the connectivity to Tirupati and making travel more convenient and time effective for pilgrims, especially the elders.  This route is now operational  and open for bookings on the BLADE India website or through the Flier Relations team at 1800 102 5233. 

BLADE India also expanded to Karnataka by connecting Bangalore to Coorg and Kabini. It provides by-the-seat helicopter services to Coorg and Kabini starting at INR 20000 per person and connecting BIAL to city center for INR 4500 per person.

Shortly afterwards, BLADE India launched its first intra-city service, BLADE Airport route, with flights connecting Bengaluru airport to key locations within the city such as HAL. Within the three months of the launch of BLADE Airport route, BLADE added Hosur in their intra-city network to ease the commute between North and South Bengaluru. Flights can be booked like any other air ticket at an initial cost of INR 4500* per person. In the coming months, more landing points will be added within the city as part of the company’s expansion plan. 

Commenting on the launch of BLADE’s services in Tirupati, Amit Dutta, Managing Director, BLADE India said, “Pilgrimage in India presents itself as a transformative odyssey, but it remains fraught with accessibility challenges, particularly for the elderly. Among the cherished destinations, Tirupati stands as a beacon of devotion. Keeping this in mind, BLADE India endeavors to improve connectivity to this spiritual destination with its goal to connect popular destinations which are otherwise not accessible or well connected.  We are delighted that the customary Tirupati darshan, encompassing two full days of travel, finds respite with BLADE India. Pilgrims can now traverse the same celestial journey, returning to the city on the very day, unraveling a tapestry of convenience, swiftness, and timeless efficacy”

BLADE India has also partnered with EVA manufacturers like Eve Air Mobility to prepare for an eventual equipment swap of conventional helicopters with Electric Vertical Aircrafts (EVAs). Under the partnership, BLADE will get up to 200 of EVE’s aircraft  ( Name to be added in) EVAs by 2026. EVAs will have reduced noise and carbon footprints as well as lower operating costs. Over time, this gradual equipment swap will result in lower prices for fliers as well as more landing zone options in the future. The Bengaluru launch in October 2022, was a pilot project for the partners. 

BLADE India started in November 2019, with its maiden flights in Maharashtra between Mumbai, Pune and Shirdi. In Maharashtra, BLADE India has expanded its by-the-seat services to Aamby Valley and Hilton Shillim, and introduced leisure routes to Atmantan Resorts and Mahabaleshwar.