Pawan Hans
Pawan Hans is India's largest helicopter operator and a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, providing offshore oil & gas logistics for ONGC, charter, pilgrimage, VIP, and emergency medical services across 19+ bases, complemented by helicopter MRO, pilot training, and heliport development.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersNoida, India
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Pawan Hans firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pawan Hans
- Legal name
- Pawan Hans Limited
- Website
- https://pawanhans.co.in
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Pawan Hans is India's largest helicopter operator and a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, providing offshore oil & gas logistics for ONGC, charter, pilgrimage, VIP, and emergency medical services across 19+ bases, complemented by helicopter MRO, pilot training, and heliport development.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Pawan Hans is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Noida
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices6 records
Markets served
Pawan Hans business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Offshore Helicopter Services: Primary revenue driver; transport of personnel and critical supplies to offshore oil and gas platforms. Pawan Hans has served ONGC since 1986, operating from Mumbai to Bombay High within a 130 nautical mile radius. Approximately 4 lakh passengers and 421,342 kg of cargo transported annually for ONGC.
- Charter and Tourism Services: Heli-tourism services covering pilgrim routes (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Tirupati), adventure tourism, heritage tourism, and joy rides. Do Dham charter services launched from Dehradun starting May 10, 2025.
- VIP and Government Transport: VIP transport for state governments, central government officials, and law enforcement agencies. Services for BSF, BRO operations in remote border areas.
- Search, Rescue and Medical Evacuation: Emergency medical services (air ambulance), disaster management response, and casualty evacuation across remote and island territories including Ladakh lifeline, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
- MRO Services: Third-party helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul services for various helicopter operators at its Rohini (Delhi) and Juhu (Mumbai) facilities.
- Skill Development and Training: Pawan Hans Training Institute (PHTI) in Mumbai and National Institute of Aviation Safety & Services (NIASS) provide DGCA-approved training for pilots, engineers, and cabin crew.
- Multi-utility Services: Hot line insulator washing for Power Grid Corporation, pipeline surveillance for GAIL and Oil India, aerial photography, and law & order monitoring for naxal-affected areas.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Do Dham Charter Helicopter Service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pawan Hans product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pawan Hans Limited is India's state-owned helicopter operator providing offshore crew change services for ONGC, onshore charter and VIP transport, pilgrimage helicopter services (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Tirupati), emergency medical evacuation and search and rescue, multi-utility aerial work (power line washing, pipeline surveillance), seaplane services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and RCS-UDAN regional connectivity. It also provides DGCA-approved helicopter MRO, heliport development, and pilot/engineering training through PHTI and NIASS.
Product overview
Pawan Hans is India's largest helicopter company and South Asia's biggest helicopter operator, operating a fleet of 43 helicopters from 19+ operational bases. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of helicopter services under a unified platform: core helicopter operations including offshore crew change services for ONGC (India's largest offshore helicopter contract), onshore charter services for VIP transport, pilgrimage tourism (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath), emergency medical evacuation, search and rescue, and disaster response. Supporting infrastructure includes MRO services (CAR-145 approved), heliport development consulting, and pilot/technician training through PHTI and NIASS. The company is expanding into seaplane operations in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and eVTOL air taxi services through partnerships. Services are accessible via online booking platform, mobile app, and integration with government portals like IRCTC and Air Sewa.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pawan Hans Training Institute (PHTI): Training institute offering aircraft maintenance engineering and aeronautics degree programs
- Pawan Hans Helicopter Training Institute Mumbai
- National Institute of Aviation Safety and Services (NIASS)
Products and services
- Offshore Helicopter Services Helicopter transport of personnel and critical supplies to ONGC's offshore oil and gas platforms at Bombay High, within a 130 nautical mile radius from Mumbai. Approximately 4 lakh passengers and 421,342 kg of cargo transported annually under a ₹2,141 crore 10-year crew change contract won through global bidding.
- Onshore and Charter Helicopter Services Charter helicopter services covering VIP transport, corporate travel, pilgrimage routes (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Tirupati), tourist destinations, helicopter joy rides, search and rescue, and law enforcement support.
- Do Dham Charter Helicopter Service Helicopter pilgrimage service connecting Dehradun with Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, with bookings processed exclusively through IRCTC's heliyatra portal (www.heliyatra.irctc.co.in).
- Emergency Medical Services / Air Ambulance Helicopter emergency medical services for casualty evacuation, disaster response and medical transport in remote areas, including Ladakh Lifeline operations and Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep island evacuations.
- Multiutility Helicopter Services Specialized helicopter services including hot-line insulator washing for Power Grid Corporation during live operations across Delhi and Kanpur, pipeline monitoring for GAIL India and Oil India, aerial photography, disaster management support, and law enforcement surveillance operations including naxal-area monitoring.
- Helicopter MRO Services Third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul services for Bell-206L4, Bell-407, AS350 B3, Mi-172, Dhruv, Chetak and Dauphin N/N3 helicopters at Rohini (Delhi) and Juhu (Mumbai) facilities, approved under DGCA CAR-145 and CAR Part-M. Capabilities include base maintenance, 5400-hour inspections, avionics and component repair/overhaul, structural repair, and landing gear overhaul.
- Heliport Development and Consultancy Development and consultancy services for heliports across India under Pawan Hans' designation as nodal agency by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Includes development of 80+ heliports including 54 under RCS-UDAN across 16 states/UTs, with India's first integrated heliport at Rohini, Delhi as flagship.
- Pawan Hans Helicopter Training Institute (PHTI) DGCA CAR-147 approved basic training institute at Juhu, Mumbai offering aircraft maintenance engineering (B1.3 Mechanical and B2 Avionics streams), B.Sc. Aeronautics degree in partnership with Jamia Millia Islamia University, and pilot type rating courses.
- Seaplane Services Seaplane operations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands using Cessna 208A amphibious aircraft (2+8 passenger capacity) on inter-island routes including Port Blair-Havelock and Diglipur-Hutbay for passenger services, medical evacuation, and VIP transport.
- RCS-UDAN Regional Connectivity Helicopter Services Scheduled helicopter services under the Government of India's Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN) connecting hilly and remote areas. Pawan Hans awarded 11 routes under UDAN 2.0 with services in Himachal Pradesh and other states.
- National Institute of Aviation Safety and Services (NIASS) Training and consultancy services for aviation safety, Safety Management System (SMS) implementation, aircraft maintenance, and heliport development. Provides safety audits, emergency response planning, and regulatory compliance support for civil aviation operators.
- Pantnagar UDAN Helicopter Services Scheduled helicopter services from Pantnagar Airport in Kumaon, Uttarakhand under UDAN scheme, connecting Dehradun, Almora, Nainital and Pantnagar with 30-45 minute travel time.
- Odisha Helicopter Tourism (Joy Ride Scheme) Helicopter tourism services under the Odisha Joy Ride Scheme operating from Rangeilunda airstrip in Berhampur, covering Chilika lake, Maa Taratarini shrine, Gopalpur beach, and Satapada.
Quantifiable outcome
- Transported 4 lakh+ passengers annually for ONGC offshore operations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Pawan Hans
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pawan Hans technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature3 records
Pawan Hans partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core, emerging and supporting.
- Deccan Charters Pvt LtdminorDeccan Charters challenged the Uttarakhand state government's temporary acquisition of its private helipad at Govind Ghat, alleging it was forcibly taken over and handed to competitor Pawan Hans for commercial operations.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)coreHAL signed a Rs 1,800 crore contract to supply 10 Dhruv New Generation (NG) helicopters to Pawan Hans, with delivery contracted by 2027. Pawan Hans will deploy these helicopters for ONGC's offshore operations between Mumbai and Bombay High. The Dhruv NG features indigenous Shakti engines and EASA certification. This marks HAL's first major civil aviation order and represents Pawan Hans' fleet modernization program.
- Nalwa AeroemergingNalwa Aero signed a partnership pact with Pawan Hans (along with Global Vectra Helicorp and Himalayan Heli Services) to launch electric air taxi (eVTOL) services in India targeting fares as low as Rs 200 per passenger. Pawan Hans will participate as a helicopter operator partner for eVTOL deployment covering pilgrimage routes (including Char Dham), air ambulance, urban transport, and offshore logistics. Nalwa Aero has Design Organisation Approval and targets full commercial operations by 2028.
- Global Vectra HelicorpemergingJoint eVTOL partnership with Nalwa Aero alongside Pawan Hans for electric air taxi services in India.
- Himalayan Heli ServicesemergingHimalayan Heli Services has pre-ordered Nalwa's eVTOL aircraft and partnered with Pawan Hans and Global Vectra Helicorp for joint deployment of electric air taxis covering pilgrimage, air ambulance, and urban transport routes in India.
- IRCTCcoreExclusive partnership with IRCTC for booking and distribution of Do Dham (Kedarnath-Badrinath) helicopter pilgrim services. IRCTC handles all ticket bookings through its official portal www.heliyatra.irctc.co.in, authorized by the Uttarakhand government. This is the sole authorized channel for pilgrim helicopter bookings.
- Airbus HelicopterscoreLong-standing partnership for AS365N3 Dauphin and AS350 B3 helicopter operations and maintenance support. MoU signed for AS365N Dauphin fleet support and Le Bourget partnership. Pawan Hans operates Dauphin N3 helicopters for offshore and passenger operations.
- Jamia Millia Islamia UniversitysupportingAcademic partnership for three-year B.Sc. (Aeronautics) degree program. Students receive practical training at Pawan Hans facilities. MoU signed on July 27, 2017 for academic collaboration and skill development.
- Mumbai UniversitysupportingSkill development MoU with University's Career Education and Development Institute (GICED) for aviation skill training programs.
- State Governments (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Odisha, Maharashtra, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, etc.)coreMoUs with 16+ state governments and Union Territories for helicopter services including passenger transport, VIP transport, medical evacuation, pilgrimage services, and regional connectivity under RCS-UDAN scheme. Services operated under government authorization for remote area connectivity.
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)corePrimary offshore customer since 1986. ONGC awarded Pawan Hans a ₹2,141 crore crew change contract for 10 years following global bidding. Pawan Hans provides daily helicopter transport of ONGC personnel to offshore platforms at Bombay High within 130 nautical mile radius from Mumbai.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pawan Hans competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PHI Aviation: Leading global offshore helicopter operator focused on oil and gas crew change and air medical services. Comparable in the offshore O&G transport segment and EMS services that Pawan Hans also provides.
- Bristow Group: Global helicopter operator with major offshore oil and gas crew change services. Comparable business model focused on offshore energy transport, but operates at much larger global scale and serves as a benchmark for Pawan Hans's core ONGC operations.
- Era Group: US-based helicopter operator serving offshore oil and gas, utility, and search and rescue markets. Comparable on the offshore O&G crew change model that drives Pawan Hans's largest revenue contract.
- Babcock International: International helicopter and aerospace services provider with offshore, search and rescue, and emergency medical operations. Comparable to Pawan Hans across offshore, EMS, and SAR mission profiles, though operating as a diversified defense and aerospace conglomerate.
- CHC Helicopter: One of the world's largest offshore helicopter operators serving oil and gas, search and rescue, and emergency medical services. Comparable on the offshore O&G crew change segment that underpins Pawan Hans's primary contract with ONGC.
Direct peers
- Deccan Charters: Indian charter helicopter operator active in pilgrimage and tourism routes. Comparable as a direct competitor, currently engaged in legal dispute with the Uttarakhand government over preferential helipad access awarded to Pawan Hans.
- Global Vectra Helicorp: India's largest private helicopter operator offering offshore O&G transport, charter, and VIP services across India. Directly comparable as the principal private competitor to Pawan Hans in the Indian helicopter services market, and a co-partner in the Nalwa Aero eVTOL consortium.
- Himalayan Heli Services: Indian private helicopter operator specializing in pilgrimage, charter, and adventure tourism in the Himalayan region. Comparable as a direct competitor in the Do Dham pilgrimage and charter segments, and also a partner alongside Pawan Hans in the Nalwa Aero eVTOL initiative.
Others
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): India's premier aerospace and helicopter OEM, manufacturer of the Dhruv and Dhruv NG helicopters. Comparable as Pawan Hans's largest supplier under the Rs 1,800 crore fleet procurement deal, and a strategic government partner under Ministry of Defence ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Nalwa Aero: Indian eVTOL aircraft developer with Design Organisation Approval targeting commercial electric air taxi services by 2028. Comparable as Pawan Hans's partner in the emerging urban air mobility opportunity covering pilgrimage, air ambulance, and offshore logistics at fares as low as Rs 200 per passenger.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pawan Hans social profiles
Digital presencePawan Hans compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Pawan Hans financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pawan Hans leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Pawan Hans funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pawan Hans M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pawan Hans
What does Pawan Hans do?
Pawan Hans Limited is India's state-owned helicopter operator providing offshore crew change services for ONGC, onshore charter and VIP transport, pilgrimage helicopter services (Kedarnath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Tirupati), emergency medical evacuation and search and rescue, multi-utility aerial work (power line washing, pipeline surveillance), seaplane services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and RCS-UDAN regional connectivity. It also provides DGCA-approved helicopter MRO, heliport development, and pilot/engineering training through PHTI and NIASS.
Is Pawan Hans a public or private company?
Pawan Hans is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Pawan Hans founded?
Pawan Hans was founded in 1986. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Pawan Hans based?
Pawan Hans is headquartered in Noida, India, in the Asia region.
How does Pawan Hans make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Offshore Helicopter Services are the primary driver. The others are charter and Tourism Services, VIP and Government Transport, search, Rescue and Medical Evacuation, MRO Services, skill Development and Training and multi-utility Services.
Who are Pawan Hans's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PHI Aviation, Bristow Group, Era Group, Babcock International and CHC Helicopter. Direct peers are Deccan Charters, Global Vectra Helicorp and Himalayan Heli Services. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is listed as an others. Nalwa Aero is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pawan Hans have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pawan Hans.