Akij enters commercial helicopter market

Akij Group has entered Bangladesh’s commercial helicopter market through its subsidiary Akij Aviation Limited, launching charter operations with three helicopters.

The fleet comprises a 5-seater Bell 505 for patient transportation and two Robinson R66 helicopters for passenger services, according to Air Commodore (retd) Md Mamunur Rashid, chief executive officer of Akij Aviation.

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Rather than operating on fixed routes, the company will provide charter services based on customer demand, covering corporate and business travel, tourism, industrial purposes, personal trips and medical emergencies, he said.

Akij Aviation previously used its helicopters to transport executives, doctors and patients between the group’s factories and hospitals. It has now opened the fleet to commercial charter services to help offset operating and maintenance costs.

The move comes as demand for helicopter services has grown among industrialists and businesspeople for business travel and emergencies, according to Mamunur.

Helicopters are also used for rescue operations in remote areas, transportation of critically ill patients, urgent travel, political events, weddings, media coverage, and film and television shoots, he said.

Bangladesh currently has 10 helicopter operators with a combined fleet of about 23 helicopters, according to the CEO.

However, the sector has struggled with high operating costs, forcing several operators to shut down over the years, he said.

“Running a helicopter business is expensive. Hangar rent, electricity, utilities, maintenance, spare parts and tools all cost a great deal,” Mamunur said.

Private helicopter operators also do not receive some of the incentives available to state-owned carriers, particularly on aviation fuel, making it difficult to sustain operations, he added.

Beximco Aviation and R&R Aviation have already ceased operations, according to him.

Akij Aviation said its commercial operations would help cover the cost of maintaining its fleet while supporting its medical transportation services.

Mamunur said patient transportation, particularly emergency medical evacuation involving Akij’s hospitals, remains the company’s primary objective.

“Our goal is to ensure quick transportation for critically ill patients. We are not entering this business to maximise profits,” he said.

The company is also providing a free air ambulance service for poor and underprivileged people in Khulna division who require emergency medical care, according to him. The service is being run under the supervision of the Ad-din Foundation.

Helicopter use has also expanded beyond corporate clients in recent years, with more families opting for charter flights for weddings and other social occasions.

The country’s existing operators are South Asian Airlines, Square Air, Bashundhara Airways, Impress Aviation, Meghna Aviation, Partex Aviation, BCL Aviation, Bangla International Airlines, BRB Air and ATL Aviation.