Whitesky kicks off Jakarta-Bandung helicopter service

PT Whitesky Aviation commenced on Monday the operation of its helicopter service from Jakarta to West Java’s capital of Bandung.

Whitesky Aviation CEO Denon Prawiraatmaadja said on Sunday that the service, named Helicity, had received a license from the Transportation Ministry to operate as a public transportation mode.

“Helicity is also to support the tourist sector,” said Denon, adding that the fare was Rp 36 million (US$2,664) per trip for six passengers

Denon said his company operated 30 helicopters for its service across Indonesia.

He said the operation of Helicity was initiated in response to the government’s aim to improve air connectivity to boost tourism.

He expressed his optimism about the Helicity market, particularly because of the increasing number of foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia – 12 million in 2016 and a targeted figure of 15 million in 2017, with each tourist spending an average of US$1,200 per visit.