Pune: As Maharashtra’s state assembly election approaches, political parties are ramping up preparations for extensive travel, with helicopters and charter flights booked extensively to facilitate leaders’ movement across the state.

This demand surge comes as the election will be conducted in a single phase, placing a heavy travel burden on leaders aiming to reach remote regions within the election timeframe.

Major political parties have secured around 40 helicopters and charter planes for the campaign, with rental rates soaring between INR 2.5 lakh and INR 6 lakh per hour.

The helicopters, booked by non-scheduled operators, include 20 from Maharashtra and an additional 20 from Delhi. These charter flights and helicopters will conduct an estimated 4,000 to 4,500 flights before the campaigning concludes on November 18, generating a turnover projected at INR 400 crore.

According to Mandar Bharde, Managing Director of Mumbai’s Mab Aviation, the demand surge has placed an unusual operational load on aviation services.

“With the election in a single phase, there’s unprecedented demand for helicopters and charter planes. We’ve planned routes and schedules meticulously to ensure smooth campaign travel for all major parties,” he said.

Extensive Use by Top Leaders

The highest flight hours are expected to be logged by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, who will conduct day-long rallies across the state before returning to Mumbai each evening.

Additionally, helicopters and charters have been arranged for state party presidents to conduct a similar campaign routine.

Flight Routes from Key Airports

Charter flights will operate from airports in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Dharashiv, Latur, Nanded, Nashik, Dhule, Amravati, Akola, Shirdi, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, with helicopters deployed to reach more distant campaign sites from these hubs.