Nagapattinam administration inks MoU to launch helicopter tourism in Velankanni

In a push for high-end tourism and enhancing emergency connectivity in the coastal delta region, the Nagapattinam district administration has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a Delhi-based aviation firm to establish a helipad at Velankanni.

The initiative, spearheaded by District Collector P. Akash, involves the development of a helipad on a 10,000 sq. ft. (approximately 25 cents) of land leased from the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Located 150 metres from the main road, opposite the Tsunami Memorial at a site informally known as Christopher Park, the facility is designed to serve as a multi-purpose aviation hub.

The administration has partnered with Jayam Aviation Pvt Ltd, a firm with over a decade of experience in the sector. The selection followed a rigorous evaluation by a four-member expert panel, which included pilots, helicopter owners, and an official from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

Multi-modal utility

Beyond religious tourism, the administration views the helipad as a strategic asset for disaster management and revenue generation. Annly Anna Kurian, Project Lead of the Convergence Team from the Nagapattinam District Administration, highlighted the long-term vision behind the project.

“While we are initially planning joy rides, the primary revenue model will be based on providing parking space for helicopters. Currently, operators have to pay significantly higher charges to park at the Tiruchi airport; our facility will offer a more cost-effective alternative. This is a basic necessity for a disaster-prone area like ours where air access is often the only viable route during emergencies. We are building a business model where the church provides the land and we create a facility that can eventually cater to VVIPs from Kerala and other regions, or even facilitate medical evacuations,” Ms. Kurian said.

She added that the facility would initially offer 10-minute joy rides at an estimated ₹6,000 per head, with the potential to extend services based on demand and regulatory approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Connectivity gap

The aviation industry has welcomed the move, pointing to the logistical hurdles currently faced by private operators in Tamil Nadu. Sugumar J, Director of Jayam Aviations, noted that the state lacks a dedicated aviation department, often complicating the approval process for non-scheduled flights.

“In Tamil Nadu, helicopters are largely perceived as emergency-only vehicles, yet there is growing demand for weddings, corporate travel, and chartered tourism. Currently, we have to coordinate with district collectors and local SPs for every landing, which is cumbersome. Velankanni sees nearly one crore tourists annually; a helipad here would allow us to connect Tiruchi to Velankanni in just 45 minutes, compared to the three-hour road journey. If the infrastructure is ready, we can arrange flights from Madurai, Chennai, and Bengaluru as well,” Mr. Sugumar stated. He also said, Helicopter ride costs around 1.5 lakh per hour.

He further emphasized that the parking charges at international airports, which can range between ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per entry/exit, often deter private owners. “A dedicated facility in Nagapattinam will not only serve pilgrims but also attract NRIs and high-spending foreign travellers who currently stop at Tiruchi due to the lack of last-mile air connectivity,” he added.