Pawan Hans Limited is an Indian helicopter service company headquartered in New Delhi. It operates a fleet of helicopters providing services across India, including connectivity to remote and inaccessible regions, offshore logistics for oil and gas operators, charter services, and support to state governments. It is one of the largest helicopter operators in Asia.
| Name | Pawan Hans Limited |
|---|---|
| Type | Public sector undertaking (helicopter services) |
| Industry | Aviation |
| Headquarters | New Delhi, India |
| Area served | India |
| Parent | Government of India (Ministry of Civil Aviation) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation |
Pawan Hans was established to provide helicopter support services to the petroleum sector, particularly to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for its offshore operations, and to extend helicopter connectivity to areas where fixed-wing services are difficult to operate. Over the years, its scope has widened to include charter operations, services for state governments in the North-East and Himalayan regions, pilgrimage circuits, and emergency medical and disaster-relief flights.
The Government of India has pursued strategic disinvestment of its stake in Pawan Hans as part of its broader disinvestment programme for central public sector enterprises, with the proposed sale being placed before successive rounds of bidding by the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management.
Pawan Hans plays a notable role in Indian civil aviation by providing helicopter-based connectivity in geographies where road and fixed-wing air access is limited. Its services are integral to offshore oil exploration logistics and to administrative connectivity in hill and island regions, and it has supported relief operations during natural disasters such as floods, cyclones and earthquakes.