New Helicopter to Cut Travel Time for Chandrababu Naidu’s District Tours
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has leased the advanced Airbus H160 helicopter for the use of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, prioritising both security and efficiency in his official travel. For the past two weeks, the Chief Minister has been using the new aircraft for district tours, with officials noting that the arrangement was intended to ensure higher safety standards while substantially reducing travel time.
Technical Capabilities of Airbus H160
According to Airbus, the H160 has a maximum range of 890 kilometres and an endurance of up to 4.5 hours. It is powered by two Safran Arrano 1A turboshaft engines, delivering 955 kW (1,280 shp) of take-off power. The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 6,050 kilograms and can carry a useful load of up to 2,000 kilograms.
The H160 is designed for operational flexibility, with configurations that accommodate one or two pilots and up to 12 passengers. It can operate in temperatures ranging from −20°C to 50°C and at altitudes up to 6,096 metres, with a hover ceiling (in ground effect) of 2,835 metres.
Travel Efficiency for the Chief Minister
Until now, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s district tours required multiple stages—travel by helicopter from his residence in Undavalli to Gannavaram Airport, transfer to a special aircraft for the nearest district airport, and onward road travel to programme venues. The Airbus H160 now allows him to bypass these intermediate transfers by flying directly from his residence to district destinations, resulting in significant time savings.
Safety and Comfort
In addition to its long range and performance, the H160 incorporates several safety-focused design features, including advanced avionics and a lightweight composite structure. It has been engineered for stability, reduced pilot workload, and passenger comfort, making it particularly suited for high-level executive travel.
Officials stated that the leasing of the Airbus H160 is expected to provide the Chief Minister with not only a faster and safer mode of transport but also improved flexibility in meeting the demands of his schedule.
Technical Capabilities of Airbus H160
According to Airbus, the H160 has a maximum range of 890 kilometres and an endurance of up to 4.5 hours. It is powered by two Safran Arrano 1A turboshaft engines, delivering 955 kW (1,280 shp) of take-off power. The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 6,050 kilograms and can carry a useful load of up to 2,000 kilograms.
The H160 is designed for operational flexibility, with configurations that accommodate one or two pilots and up to 12 passengers. It can operate in temperatures ranging from −20°C to 50°C and at altitudes up to 6,096 metres, with a hover ceiling (in ground effect) of 2,835 metres.
Travel Efficiency for the Chief Minister
Until now, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s district tours required multiple stages—travel by helicopter from his residence in Undavalli to Gannavaram Airport, transfer to a special aircraft for the nearest district airport, and onward road travel to programme venues. The Airbus H160 now allows him to bypass these intermediate transfers by flying directly from his residence to district destinations, resulting in significant time savings.
Safety and Comfort
In addition to its long range and performance, the H160 incorporates several safety-focused design features, including advanced avionics and a lightweight composite structure. It has been engineered for stability, reduced pilot workload, and passenger comfort, making it particularly suited for high-level executive travel.
Officials stated that the leasing of the Airbus H160 is expected to provide the Chief Minister with not only a faster and safer mode of transport but also improved flexibility in meeting the demands of his schedule.