The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to replace the helicopter used by CM Chandrababu Naidu and other VIPs. Until now, a Bell company chopper was being used on rent, but it often faced technical problems. On more than one occasion, these issues disrupted tours, including the visit of Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who had to cancel his trip because of a fault in the chopper.
After repeated problems, security officials reviewed the situation and concluded that it was no longer safe to continue using the Bell helicopter. Following their recommendation, the government brought in a new helicopter on rent, this time an Airbus H160. Officials have clarified that no helicopter was purchased, and only the rented one was replaced. They also stated that false propaganda about the government buying a new helicopter is misleading, and they are even considering legal action against those spreading such fake claims.
The new chopper is more advanced and allows long-distance travel directly from Amaravati to any part of the state, including remote districts like Srikakulam and Chittoor. Earlier, tours required a mix of air travel and helicopters, which took more time and money. With the new chopper, both time and costs will be saved. According to estimates, nearly 70 percent of overall tour expenses could be reduced, since there is no need for additional flights or large convoys.
Government officials said the decision was taken purely based on safety and efficiency. The new helicopter offers better security, longer travel range, and lower expenses compared to the earlier one. By renting the Airbus H160, the government hopes to make the Chief Minister’s and VIPs’ travel smoother, safer, and more economical, while dismissing baseless rumors of unnecessary purchases.
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