The to-and-from service from Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) to Sabarimala is priced at `34,900/person and can accommodate five persons per flight. The frequency of the service will be increased depending on the demand. The flight will be up to Perunad, the nearest location which has a helipad facility. From there the devotees are provided an air-conditioned car facility till Pampa, a distance of 40 km.  The tourists/pilgrims would return via the helicopter next day at 6 pm from Perunad, an hour’s ride to CIAL. Chipsan Aviation, a Delhi-based aviation service provider, which launched its operations in Kerala in 2012. .  This is not the first time that a helicopter service is launched to the hill shrine of Sabarimala. 

“That service was aimed at pilgrims from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This service is from Kochi and the initial response suggest we will have enough customers, He said since his company is a tour and travel operator, the heli-service will continue even after the pilgrimage season at Sabarimala for the tourists. 

The single-engine helicopter is hired at `85,000 per hour expense. If the demand for the service increases, would look at utilising a twin-engine helicopter, which has a seating capacity of 18 people.  Even now some companies are operating helicopter facility from Coimbatore and Bangaluru, priced at  `60,000 and `90,000 per person.

- Source http://www.newindianexpress.com/