Helicopter service in Manipur which was suspended after few months since it was launched in September 2018 was re-launched on Wednesday.  With the objective of cutting travel time in Manipur at affordable rates, Manipur government on September 20, 2018 launched the first helicopter service of the state. Chief minister N Biren Singh officially launched the Manipur Heli Service between Imphal and Jiribam.
However, after some months, the service was suspended, reportedly after the service provider, Noida-based state-run Pawan Hans suspended the service with the expiry of the service period which was not extended further for  reasons best known to the government and service provider.
Chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday  re-launched the Manipur helicopter service connecting Imphal to Jiribam, Tamenglong and Moreh during a simple function held at Imphal International Airport. Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that the present government decided to introduce Manipur Heli Service so as to ease out the hardships faced by the people living in the remote parts of the state. 
He added that the Heli service will cater to the critical need of safe, fast and cheap means of transport for the people. The chief minister maintained that the government was further planning to introduce Helicopter service for tourists which would offer sightseeing experience in the state. 
Under UDAN-2, the Union ministry of home affairs has agreed to operate Manipur Heli Service connecting Imphal to Parbung and Thanlon soon, he added.
Stating that Imphal-Mandalay flight service would soon  be started , he said that the Union ministry has agreed to hold a meeting with flight operators to materialise the plans for the International flight service. 
The chief minister said that the state government had urged the Centre to increase the number of flights from Imphal to various parts of the country. 
He also announced that Imphal-Dibrugarh flight service will be introduced soon. Singh further announced that a new runway would be constructed soon in the Imphal International Airport. The tender process of the project amounting to around Rs 600 crores is almost complete.
Highlighting the Manipur Heli Service, the chief minister continued that the government has appointed M/S Global Vectra Helicorp Limited as service provider for the Manipur Heli Service for the period upto March 31, 2020. He said that BELL 412EP Helicopter with seating capacity of 8-10 passengers will be deployed for the service.