TRANSPORT network company GrabTaxi has struck a partnership deal with aviation services firm PhilJets to launch a weekend-only helicopter services in Manila, jump-starting the ride-hailing operator’s planned deployment of air-based transportation.
Under the contract, PhilJets will supply four choppers to GrabTaxi for the GrabHeli service. Currently, the service is in its beta stage, and will be tested for three months.
GrabHeli, which is available every weekend for P3,888 per person, will allow passengers to fly around Manila in an aerial tour of Makati City, Bonifacio Global City and Pasay City.
Pre-booking a GrabHeli will be available weekly from Saturdays to Wednesdays through the GrabTaxi app, with fixed flight schedules during Fridays and Saturdays at 4 p.m.
“Booking a helicopter ride used to cost tens of thousands of pesos. But through our partnership with PhilJets, we’ve made it possible to just buy a minimum of one seat on a helicopter and you’re good to go. With GrabHeli, riding a helicopter will not be as far-fetched as it used to be. It is now luxury within reach,” said Khriztina Lim, GrabTaxi Philippines country head of marketing.
Lim added that GrabHeli is a precursor to the company’s plan of launching AirTaxi, a helipad-to-helipad service around the central business district areas.
“We’re looking into AirTaxi, a helipad to helipad in Pasay, Manila and Makati. It will be launched within the year,” Lim said. “We’re planning to offer it at the same rate as GrabHeli.”
She said there is a niche market for the service, and the company is targeting its customers from GrabCar to avail themselves of the service.
“When we launched the promo online, we had 12,000 shares. With the traffic in Manila, people are really willing to use it,” she said.
“Our target market is the same set of people who are tired of heavy traffic.” The service, she said, will be initially available during “manic Mondays” and “payday Fridays” as these are the days “when traffic is really crazy.”