In 1990, we started Heli Skiing operations in Himachal Pradesh by wet-leasing SA 315B Lamas from Switzerland and Canada. Eventually, Himalayan Heli Services was established in 1998 to cater the rising demand in pilgrimage shuttle services. We then set new standards in conducting cost effective and passenger-friendly services at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Shri Amarnath ji and Shri Kedarnath ji shrines.
Eager to push the limits of helicopter applications, from 2009 we started conducting low altitude heliborne geophysical surveys for Atomic Mineral Directorate-AMD, and National Geophysical Research Institute-NGRI. Today we have covered more than 350,000+ line kms in surveys. In 2013, we did the first heliborne powerline stringing project in India for Sterlite Power. Today, we are technically able to take on any kind of aerial work project.
Recently, in 2016-17, we were hired by Sterlite Power and Erickson Inc. USA to help import and operate the S-64 E Sky crane helicopter for the first time in India. The helicopter was deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for construction of powerline transmission towers by Sterlite Power.
The experience gained by our promoters, Mr. Harsh Vardhan Sharma and Mr. Wangchuk Shamshu, over the years has given a thorough and nuanced understanding of the Indian non-scheduled civil aviation market, and related policies and regulations. Leading the team from the front, they specialize in aviation consulting and work with a range of corporate and foreign clientele. They create partnerships for projects in India through joint ventures, where we provide AOP support, give policy guidance and devise logistical support solutions.
Hailing from Ladakh, he was born in February 1954 and studied at Banaras Hindu University and Delhi University. A trained skier from Chamonix, France, he pioneered rafting in Zanskar and Indus and introduced mountain biking on Manali-Leh-Srinagar Road. He cofounded World Expeditions (India) Pvt. Ltd. in 1987 and Himalayan Heli Services in 2002.
Born in December 1959, he studied at Sardar Patel Vidyalaya and graduated in Tourism from Delhi University. A trained mountaineer from HMI Darjeeling, he led expeditions across the Himalayas for eight years. He co-founded World Expeditions (India) Pvt. Ltd. in 1987 and Himalayan Heli Services in 2002.
He completed his BA (Hons) in Product Design from Central St. Martin’s College, University of Arts London, in 2010 and spent seven years in London studying and working. He joined Himalayan Heli Services in 2015, progressed from Manager to General Manager, and now serves as Director, driving digital transformation and business development.
He completed B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University. Joining Himalayan Heli at 21 as a management trainee in 2016, he soon took charge of pilgrimage sector sales. In 2019, he launched the Chardham heli-tours segment, driving significant revenue growth. He also strengthened the company's digital presence and website ranking. Currently, he oversees sales, finances, and fleet movement while working closely with operations and accounts. He has been the Chief Security Officer since 2018.
Accomplished Company Secretary with 9+ years of expertise in Corporate Governance, Finance, IPOs, Takeover, M&A, regulatory compliance, and fundraising. Experienced in dealing with ROC, SEBI, and stock exchanges. Proficient in corporate laws, contract negotiations, strategic planning and legal due diligence across manufacturing and service industries, ensuring strategic compliance and governance excellence.
Mr. Dinesh Khanna is an experienced M.B.A with almost 30 years of experience in Aviation Industry. Before joining Himalayan Heli Services as General Manager - Accounts in June 2021, he worked as Senior Manager- Finance with Jet Airways looking after entire North India and Nepal. He was also a core member in Implementing SAP in Jet Airways. In Himalayan Heli Services he has played a significant role in making finance an integral part of business to drive strategic and profitable growth.
Non scheduled air transport operator’s Permit NSOP No. 01/2002 was obtained on 18.01.2002. Currently, we operate a fleet of 6 AS 350 B3 helicopters which are flown by a team of 16 highly experienced pilots. Our permit is endorsed for mountain flying, heli-skiing and aerial work operations.
We are a DGCA CAR-145 approved maintenance organization, and operate five maintenance bases at Katra (Jammu & Kashmir), Shahpura (Rajasthan), Sersi (Uttrakhand), Sharifabad (Jammu & Kashmir) & Barbil (Odisha). Our Quality Control-QC and Continuing Airworthiness Management OrganizationCAMO are based at Mehramnagar, New Delhi, headed by our Continuing Airworthiness ManagerCAM and Quality Manager-QM.
Himalayan Heli Services is an ISO 9001 :2015 certified company. This certification covers flight operations, quality department, flight safety and maintenance. Our flight safety cell is headed by the Chief of Flight Safety based at our Mehram nagar office, who oversees and develops our Safety Management System-SMS, which ensures proactive risk management and maintain structured safety documentation for compliance, operational safety, and regulatory oversight.
In compliance to the regulations and ICAO Annex 19, Our Safety Management System (SMS) & Flight Safety Documentation System (FSDS) are also approved by DGCA.
In 2015, we were awarded the 'Operator of the year' award, at the sidelines of the Bangalore Aero India Show 2015.
Since 2015, as per the yearly report of DGCA “Handbook on Civil Avaition Statistics” we are continously among the Top Three Non-Scheduled operators who account for more than 80% of the total number of flights operated in a year in India.
We were awarded the 'Captain Willian J. Kossler' Award by the American Helicopter Society-AHS International, for our efforts in conducting disaster management (search and rescue) operation during the catastrophic Uttarakhand floods of 2013.
Himalayan Heli has won 'Best Non-Scheduled Operator of the year 2021' award at Wings India event held at Hyderabad from 24th-27th March, 2022