Kelantanese take helicopter to avoid Raya balik kampung jam

Raya season means our highways will be chock-a-block full of cars. It’s not unusual to hear horror stories of road users being stuck on the road for 8, 10 even 18 hours for a one-way trip to their hometown especially for those who drive to the pantai timur area like Kelantan

So clearly there’s a demand for a faster way to balik kampung during this busy period. And when there’s demand, there will be an entrepreneur ready to meet that demand.

For those who can afford it, don’t bother with plebeian transportation methods like a car or even a normal plane ride. You can beat the epic balik kampung jam by taking a private helicopter back to your hometown.

Entrepreneur Hazni Hanipa is offering a helicopter shuttle service, to who can afford it, for a speedy balik kampung ride during Raya festive season. His company, Hazmi Dimasyq Group has made over 20 helicopters available for the service to meet demand. On other normal days, he usually only needs 6 helicopters for his customers.

“This is the first time we’re offering helicopter shuttle service in conjunction with Hari Raya”, he said to Sinar Harian.

Hazmi, who is also a Kelantanese, set up the company three years ago to offer private helicopter and jetplane charter services, especially to businessmen.

So far he said his company has received 11 requests for the service, four of the requests are for trips to Kelantan from Kuala Lumpur.

RM17,000 per hour

The service will start on June 3. A trip from Kuala Lumpur to Kelantan costs — are you ready for it — RM30,000 one-way while a six-passenger trip, costs RM17,000 per hour!

Hazni said a trip to Kota Bharu from Kuala Lumpur in his helicopter would take about three hours. In comparison, the same trip would take well over 6 hours if you’re travelling by car.

Even with that price, Hazni said he is seeing encouraging response for the service.

“Alhamdulillah, looking at the requests, we will continue this service for the next festive seasons,” he said.

Robinson R66

Among the helicopter the company uses is the Robinson R66. The aircraft is designed mainly for personal transportation and surveillance.

The R66 has a capacity of five to six passengers and has a separate cargo compartment with a 140kg capacity.

The R66 has a cruise speed of 204km/h and a range of about 640km.

[via Malay Mail]