Early last month, Bell sold three 412s to Global Vectra, bringing to 18 the number of helicopters in the fleet of the Mumbai-based aviation firm. Separately, the government of Karnataka has leased an Indian-built HAL Dhruv. Early last month, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy was the first passenger.

Late last year, Canada-based CHC announced it was to acquire a 49-percent stake in an Indian venture. Dubbed CHC Helicopter Services India, the company represents the first foreign investment in a non-scheduled air service in India, the Financial Express daily reported. Finally, last fall, the Indian government issued a request for proposals aimed at buying VIP passenger transport helicopters, Forecast International reported recently.