HAL launches helicopter ambulance service

BANGALORE: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Saturday launched a specially designed Chetak helicopter for emergency medical evacuation and air charter services.

At a function here, HAL Chairman Ashok K Baweja formally inaugurated the operations of Vayu Vahan at the Rotary Wing Academy situated in Bangalore Airport,a company release said.

The helicopter is designed to undertake emergency evacuation of patients from areas around Bangalore to the main hospitals in the city which are equipped with a helipad.

"We are extending this facility to all persons, organisations and hospitals," Baweja said.

Baweja said the launch of the air ambulance service was in keeping with the unparalleled growth in the aviation sector.

"This initiative would bring aviation industry to the doorsteps of the masses. The concept of air ambulance is very popular abroad and the need for it in India has been felt by the medical fraternity for quite some time now," he said.