Flying Faith and Connectivity : Heritage Aviation’s Path from Pilgrimage to Policy

UDAN in the Skies : Heritage Aviation Connects Himalayas by Helicopter
Lifting Off from the Hills : For Missions Across India
Rohit Mathur of Heritage Aviation on Expanding India’s Rotor-Wing Reach

By Sangeeta Saxena

Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 04 July 2025. Heritage Aviation has become synonymous with high-altitude connectivity and religious tourism in India’s northern regions. With operations centred in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the company plays a crucial role in providing access to remote areas where fixed-wing aircraft can’t operate. These services are especially vital for connecting small towns under the UDAN scheme, and for enabling safe, fast travel for pilgrims visiting sacred sites nestled in the mountains.

At the Northern States Civil Aviation Conclave, Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) caught up with Rohit Mathur, Founder and CEO of Heritage Aviation, one of India’s key players in the regional helicopter connectivity and pilgrimage aviation sector. With a focus on operating in difficult Himalayan terrain and expanding to India’s northeast, Mathur shared his insights on the opportunities and constraints shaping helicopter aviation in the country.

ADU. How do you find this conclave beneficial for helicopter operators like you?

Rohit Mathur. It’s a very useful event. It brings state government officials and aviation stakeholders under one roof. For operators like us, it provides an opportunity to interact with top state-level decision-makers, which is often tough otherwise. We can align our plans with state requirements, understand government initiatives, and explore business prospects. It’s a great forum initiated by the Ministry.

ADU. Where do you primarily operate?

Rohit Mathur. We are a helicopter operator with a strong focus on mountainous regions, particularly Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. These terrains demand helicopter services because of their inaccessibility by fixed-wing aircraft. We also do a lot of religious tourism and are part of the government’s UDAN scheme, offering regional connectivity in these regions.

ADU. What about the northeast?

Rohit Mathur. We’ve been allotted routes in Sikkim under UDAN and plan to begin services within 6 to 12 months. Expansion to the northeast is certainly on our radar, but constraints like fleet size—currently six helicopters—limit us. As our capacity grows, we’re eager to serve that region too.

ADU. What type of helicopters do you operate, and how are they sourced?

Rohit Mathur. Our fleet primarily comprises Airbus helicopters. Out of six helicopters, two are owned and four are leased. The leasing market for small helicopters is limited and fragmented—there are no big players like Air Lease Corporation for smaller rotorcraft. Most lessors are from Europe, the Middle East, or Asia.

ADU. Do you manage your own MRO?

Rohit Mathur. Yes. We are a DGCA-approved MRO and do all maintenance in-house, based in Dehradun.

ADU. Are you exploring other sectors like oil and gas?

Rohit Mathur. Not at the moment. Oil and gas requires larger helicopters, substantial capital investment, and specific certifications. We currently focus on smaller helicopters and operations in the Himalayan region.

ADU. What are your expansion plans for Heritage Aviation?

Rohit Mathur. We aim to add 1–2 helicopters annually, based on viable opportunities and financing availability. Over the next five years, we expect to grow our fleet by 5–7 aircraft.

ADU. How important is Viability Gap Funding (VGF) under UDAN for your operations?

Rohit Mathur. It’s essential. Without VGF, helicopter operations in hill states under UDAN aren’t financially viable. VGF bridges the revenue gap in under-served routes.

ADU. What challenges do helicopter operators in India face?

Rohit Mathur. The biggest challenges are forex fluctuations and lack of access to finance. The industry is perceived as risky, and financial institutions hesitate to support aviation ventures. Also, there’s a serious shortage of trained helicopter pilots and technical manpower, especially for mountain flying. India doesn’t have a dedicated helicopter training school, and few defence pilots are entering civilian roles.

ADU. When do we see Heritage in other Himalayan states, both up north and in the North-East?

Rohit Mathur. We have plans but this will happen when we have a bigger fleet. Our helicopters though are for help whenever needed. Currently our focus is on Char Dham Yatra. Regional helicopter operaters are the most dependable in the hill regions and we plan to expand this dependability from Uttarakhand to Arunachal.

Heritage Aviation, under the leadership of Rohit Mathur, continues to chart a steady path in the helicopter aviation landscape, particularly in India’s challenging mountainous regions. With clear operational focus, planned expansion, and a grounded understanding of industry challenges, Mathur exemplifies how regional helicopter operators are becoming indispensable to India’s connectivity push. The next chapter could see Heritage playing a stronger role in the northeast and beyond.

The company operates a mixed fleet of six helicopters, mostly Airbus models, with two owned and four on lease. All maintenance is done in-house through its DGCA-approved MRO in Dehradun. Heritage has also been allotted routes in Sikkim and aims to expand further into the northeast. While it has conducted operations during the Amarnath Yatra and other high-profile missions, the focus remains on regional, religious, and public service flights. Despite operating in a challenging segment, Heritage Aviation continues to grow steadily. With strategic expansion plans and a stronghold in the Himalayan belt, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on India’s growing recognition of the helicopter sector as an enabler of last-mile air connectivity.