THISDAYonline

A novelty in the nation's aviation industry is on the verge of being created following plans by Caverton Helicopters to commence a shuttle flight service between Victoria Island and Ikeja, Lagos soon.

THISDAY gathered that the shuttle service aimed at relieving Ikeja and Victoria Island residents the hassles inherent in road transportation is to be operated with third generation turbine engine Eurocopters, EC 135, four of which will be deployed in flagging off the service.

The helicopters have a capacity of five passengers each and the flight time between Victoria Island and Lagos is less than 10 minutes.

Already, construction of the heliport at the Oyinkan Abayomi waterfront, Ikoyi is said to have commenced after approval had been secured from relevant authorities.

According to a director of Caverton Helicopters, Mr. Adeniyi Makanjuola, the shuttle service "will revolutionise travel business plan of the people in Ikoyi" even as he described it as the most novel in the air transport sub-sector of the economy.

"This project is informed by the obvious hardships being experienced by the entire business community in this part of Lagos. People spend up to four or more hours before getting out of traffic.

"We have experienced several man-hours lost and missed flights on account of traffic jams and we believe this shuttle will be a big relief to our business moguls and residents who value time and comfort", he said.

He noted that as part of Caverton's quest to sustain its tradition of safety, a multi-million naira hangar project is being constructed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos. He added that more than $14 million (N1.9 billion) has been expended on the project.

It was gathered that the Ministry of Aviation, has, through the regulatory agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), given approval to the project just as the Lagos State Government approved the construction of the heliport in Ikoyi.

Aware of the calibre of its potential passengers, Caverton has already secured a VIP rotor lounge equipped with business class facilities to take care of their respective needs even as medical evacuation services are being planned in the medium term. The aircraft are being configured to accommodate a stretcher.

The entire fleet of aircraft will be handled by expatriates as Nigerians are to be trained to be part of the crew.

"These standby measures serve as part of our determination to be a responsible corporate citizen of Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole", Makanjuola said.