HYDERABAD: Indian companies are not only the fastest growing business houses but are also adding to the growth of business aircraft market.
According to estimates, the Indian business aircraft market is expected to triple from about 600 corporate jets and helicopters in 2011 to about 1,800 aircraft by 2020, according to Capt Karan Singh, managing director, Business Aircraft Operators’ Association (BAOA).
To cash in on the increasing demand, players such as Dassault, Hawker Beechcraft, Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream have lined up respective products to attract potential customers. “The time is just right to be in India. This is the first time we have brought the ACJ to India because we feel that the existing private jet owners are ready to upgrade,” said Francois Chazelle, vice-president (worldwide sales), Airbus Corporate Jets, which managed to sell just three aircraft in India in the last few years. On the other hand, it sold about six such aircraft in China in just one year.
Similarly, Dassault Aviation, makers of the Falcon aircraft, are also betting big on India. Interestingly, Falcon had a flattish growth last year but has clinched nearly six orders this year.
“We have 20 jets in operation in India and we will be delivering another 5-6 jets this year to customers in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Chennai.