Helicopter ride in Chennai
Chennai has no confirmed regular helicopter joyride as of October 2026. A private service from Kovalam on the East Coast Road began in November 2023 and was halted in January 2025.
- Status
- No regular rides
- Kovalam 2023
- ₹5,000, about 10 min
- Halted
- 15 Jan 2025
- Private hire
- From ₹1.25 lakh/hr
Helicopter rides in Chennai
No regular helicopter ride runs in Chennai as of October 2026. When the Kovalam service ran it cost ₹5,000 per person for about 10 minutes (November 2023) and ₹6,000 to Mamallapuram (January 2025). The real option now is a private charter, with a Bell 407 at about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour plus 18% GST.
Chennai has no confirmed regular helicopter joyride as of October 2026. A private service from Kovalam on the East Coast Road began in November 2023 and was halted in January 2025.
On 15 January 2025 the Chengalpattu district administration halted the Kovalam to Mamallapuram service for lack of permissions, also citing passenger safety and noise. Online listings near Cholavaram Lake and in Chennai show as unavailable.
The nearest real option is a private helicopter charter. A June 2026 industry guide puts single-engine Bell 407 charters, which seat six, at about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour, plus 18% GST on the invoice.
Sources:DT Next, 14 Nov 2023: helicopter services from Kovalam begin, about 10 min, ₹5,000 per personDT Next, 15 Jan 2025: Chengalpattu administration halts Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service, ₹6,000 per personHappyFares, 5 Jun 2026: Bell 407 about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour, 18% GST
Rides, prices and where they fly from
- From
- Kovalam
- Duration
- To Mamallapuram
- Price
- ₹6,000 per person
- Notes
- Halted 15 Jan 2025 for lack of permissions
- From
- Kovalam helipad
- Duration
- About 10 min
- Price
- ₹5,000 per person
- Notes
- Started Nov 2023; later halted
- From
- Near Cholavaram Lake
- Duration
- 30 / 60 min
- Price
- ₹12,875 / 18,050 per adult (listed)
- Notes
- Currently unavailable
- From
- Chennai
- Duration
- 1 hr
- Price
- ₹20,000 per person incl. GST (listed)
- Notes
- Temporarily unavailable
- From
- Operator's base
- Duration
- By the hour
- Price
- Bell 407 about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour plus 18% GST
- Notes
- Whole helicopter, six seats
Historical and listed prices with dates; none is a confirmed current ride.
Sources:DT Next, 15 Jan 2025: Chengalpattu administration halts Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service, ₹6,000 per personDT Next, 14 Nov 2023: helicopter services from Kovalam begin, about 10 min, ₹5,000 per personThrillophilia, read 15 Oct 2026: Cholavaram Lake ride, currently unavailableUniversal Adventures, read 15 Oct 2026: Chennai aerial joy ride ₹20,000 per person, temporarily unavailableHappyFares, 5 Jun 2026: Bell 407 about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour, 18% GST
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Are rides running now?
No regular joyride is confirmed: the Chengalpattu district administration halted the private Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service on 15 January 2025, and the Cholavaram and Chennai listings online show as unavailable.
Sources:DT Next, 15 Jan 2025: Chengalpattu administration halts Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service, ₹6,000 per personThrillophilia, read 15 Oct 2026: Cholavaram Lake ride, currently unavailableUniversal Adventures, read 15 Oct 2026: Chennai aerial joy ride ₹20,000 per person, temporarily unavailable
Booking and what to bring
- 01Charter instead
Ask us for a private helicopter for a city flight or a hop to Mamallapuram or Puducherry.
- 02Allow for positioning
Helicopters may fly in from Bengaluru or another base, which adds flying time to the quote.
- 03Check permissions
Landing sites outside airports need permission; we arrange this with the operator.
Sources:DT Next, 15 Jan 2025: Chengalpattu administration halts Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service, ₹6,000 per personHappyFares, 5 Jun 2026: Bell 407 about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour, 18% GST
Helicopters used for rides and private hire
The types flown on joyrides and short private charters in India.
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistAre helicopter joyrides running in Chennai now?+
No regular joyride is confirmed. The Kovalam to Mamallapuram service was halted on 15 January 2025, and online listings for Cholavaram and Chennai show as unavailable.
Why was the Kovalam helicopter service stopped?+
The Chengalpattu district administration found the operator lacked the necessary permissions; the order also cited passenger safety and noise.
What did it cost when it ran?+
₹6,000 per person between Kovalam and Mamallapuram in January 2025, and ₹5,000 per person for about 10 minutes in November 2023.
What route did the Kovalam rides fly?+
The November 2023 report listed Kovalam to Thiruvidanthai, with views over Muttukadu, Kelambakkam and Thiruvanmiyur.
What can I do instead?+
Charter a whole helicopter. A June 2026 guide puts a Bell 407 at about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour plus 18% GST.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 15 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.DT Next, 14 Nov 2023: helicopter services from Kovalam begin, about 10 min, ₹5,000 per person
- 2.DT Next, 15 Jan 2025: Chengalpattu administration halts Kovalam to Mamallapuram helicopter service, ₹6,000 per person
- 3.HappyFares, 5 Jun 2026: Bell 407 about ₹1.25 to 1.8 lakh per flying hour, 18% GST
- 4.Thrillophilia, read 15 Oct 2026: Cholavaram Lake ride, currently unavailable
- 5.Universal Adventures, read 15 Oct 2026: Chennai aerial joy ride ₹20,000 per person, temporarily unavailable
See Chennai from the air.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.