In April 2011, Birdie, a division of Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd, introduced a new service for pilgrims visiting the holy shrine Shri Mata Vaishno Devi ji. The shrine is at an altitude of 5,200ft and approximately 14km from Katra and is a difficult and ardous journey for a number of people. A helicopter service has been introduced by the shrine board to help the yatris. The helicopter service is operational for the next 3 years and the flight timings are from 8am to 6pm everyday subject to weather. The flight from Katra to Sanjhichat (and vice versa) takes around 8 minutes. The cost per person for a round trip in a helicopter is Rs. 1,398.

Since the inception of this shuttle service, more than 85,000 passengers have used GVHL services in Katra. The helicopter AS 350 B3 at Katra is being flown in turns by a team of 10 pilots with a cumulative experience of over 36,200 total hours. The response to this helicopter services is humungous, especially with the elderly, the very young and the people with disabilities who would like to take this pilgrimage.

During the dry season GVHL has a quantum of flights in Katra, more than 1,500 per month. With fully functional base infrastructure, a permanent and resident team for operations, administration, commercial and ground handling services, headed by a Base Manager, GVHL has already established Brand image in the religious tourism and is hoping to grow extensively in this direction.

It is simple to get tickets online (http://www.onlineglobalhelicorp.com/) and there are also local and regional vendors, for people with limited or no internet access.