Pawan Hans stake sale: Govt receives bids for helicopter service provider

The government might be struggling to find bidder for loss-making Air India bids, it has however received bids for helicopter services provider Pawan Hans. The government invited bids for offloading in the helicopter service provider company, which is a joint venture between the central government and ONGC.
 
Pawan Hans is a profit-making company, Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey, said bids have been received for Pawan Hans stake sale, according to PTI. Under the disinvestment proposal, government's 51 per cent stake in the company. The government has extended the bidding date for the strategic stake sale in April after it received tepid response from the potential bidders. Earlier, the government had set June 18 as last date for submission of initial bids. Pawan Hans recently started operating in new routes like Chandigarh-Shimla. The helicopter service provider already provide its services to pilgrims who go to shrines located in higher altitudes. 
 
Pawan Hans operates a fleet of more than 50 helicopters and provides a variety of services. Offshore operations, connecting inaccessible areas, charter services, search and rescue work, VIP transportation, corporate and special charters, hotline washing of insulators and Heli-pilgrims are some of the major services of Pawan Hans.

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Pawan Hans is diversifying into the fields of seaplane, small fixed wing aircraft, training and skill development, safety audit and consultancy, foreign projects and creation of infrastructure such as heliports and helipads as well.