Joy Alukkas Group to invest Rs 100 crore in its aviation wing

Joy Alukkas Group, the Kerala-based gold jewellery retail chain, will invest Rs 100 crore in its aviation wing by next year to provide exclusive air charter services to various destinations across India and abroad and helicopter tours within Kochi. The group would launch its helicopter service from March 12.

The helicopter service will cater to tourists and residents of Kochi. A 6 seater helicopter service would be used for this purpose. The group has invested Rs 45 crore on Joy Jets, its aviation wing, Group chairman, Joy Alukkas told reporters here.

The air charter service was launched an year ago, covering the southern states, Maharashtra and Colombo Joy Jets, which has one jet and a helicopter at present, has plans to acquire 4 new jets. There are also plans to launch a long range flight by this December.

The helicopter to be used for this service is from Bell Helicopter, which manufactures helicopters for various commercial and military needs. The six seater helicopter will offer one hour tour of Kochi. The service would be extended to other cities in Kerala by next year.