Universal VulKaan Aviation Targets India for Helicopter Sales Expansion
Universal VulKaan Aviation, a prominent Singapore-based aviation firm, has announced its strategic expansion into the Indian market with an ambitious goal to sell over 30 helicopters in the next three years. This move by the company, which is a key distributor for Leonardo helicopters, is anticipated to significantly transform India’s aerial landscape, particularly in the realms of luxury travel and essential services.
The decision to enter the Indian market comes at a time when the potential for helicopter use in the country is vast yet underexploited. With only 250 helicopters currently operational within India, Universal VulKaan Aviation sees a significant opportunity for growth, especially when compared to other markets like Brazil, where the VIP market alone contains over 700 machines. Harinder Jeet Singh Commar, a partner at Universal VulKaan Aviation, highlighted the gap and potential for development, noting that the Indian government is now prioritizing helicopter use for both medical activities and religious tourism.
The Strategic Approach
Universal VulKaan’s approach includes selling both new and pre-owned helicopters, catering to a variety of needs in the Indian market. The company has already signed pre-sales contracts for 16 new helicopters, including models such as the AW109 Trekker, AW139, and AW169 from the Leonardo range, known for their luxury and performance. The pre-owned segment, meanwhile, will feature 14 helicopters, focusing on the six-seater AW 119Kx and the eight-seater AW 109 Trekker.
Karan Sethi, sales director at Universal VulKaan Aviation, detailed the company’s strategy for the pre-owned and new helicopter markets. “In the pre-owned market, we’re focusing on the 119s and trekkers, which are ideal for smaller groups, while for the luxury VIP segment, we’re concentrating on the 169 and the 139 models, which are large cabin, twin-engine helicopters, seating between 12 to 16 people,” he said.
Enhancing Accessibility and Emergency Services
The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry has recognized helicopters as crucial for improving accessibility in remote areas and for critical services such as emergency medical aid and disaster management. The government’s launch of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) aims to cover emergency services within a 150 km radius of major hospitals, including AIIMS, leveraging helicopters’ ability to reach difficult terrains swiftly.
Market Dynamics and Competitors
India currently hosts around 50 helicopter charter operators. Key players like Himalayan Heli Services, Pawan Hans, and Global Vectra Helicorp collectively operated over 75% of the total flights in the 2022-2023 period. The entry of Universal VulKaan is set to intensify competition, especially with the likes of Airbus, which recently partnered with Tata Group to establish a final assembly line in India for its H125 helicopter, targeting both domestic and export markets.
Long-term Investment and Growth Prospects
Universal VulKaan is not only focused on immediate sales but is also preparing to invest in ancillary services, which include maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, areas currently underserved in India. “Over the years, I think we will invest more and more to bring helicopters into India…we will also invest…in the MRO and after-sales services, which are very underserved in India,” Sethi remarked.
The parent company, Vulkaan Group, has a robust global presence as a distributor for Leonardo helicopters and aims to replicate its success in India. Given its comprehensive strategy encompassing sales, service, and maintenance, Universal VulKaan Aviation is poised to become a significant player in the Indian helicopter market.
Conclusion
Universal VulKaan Aviation’s entry into the Indian market is set against a backdrop of underutilized potential and increasing demand for both luxury travel and essential services. With its strategic sales plans and commitment to long-term investments in local infrastructure and services, the company is looking to not only reshape the helicopter landscape in India but also set new standards in accessibility and operational excellence. As India continues to expand its infrastructure and services, the role of helicopters is set to become more pivotal, making Universal VulKaan’s timing and strategy potentially transformative for the Indian aviation sector.