Page 19 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2014 Online Magazine

INTERVIEW EMBRAER

9,250 worldwide, from the current figure 300 such executive jets operating today. What makes you feel that India
of approximately 8,000. Of these, 50 per In terms of Embraer’s presence in the is an exciting market?
cent of the demand for executive jets is country, we have enjoyed a good reception There are 130 private executive jets in
expected to be from the United States. In for our aircraft in India, with customers in India of which 26 belong to Embraer. The
Asia, China is the most important market the country for all of our product types. buyers include government agencies such
followed by India, Indonesia and other Our commercial aircraft have been flying as the Indian Air Force, Coast Guard and
countries. in India for some time while in terms of private companies and individuals.
Buying your own jet should make our executive jets. We look forward to More and more businessmen and
business sense. Profitability depends on selling our new Legacy 500, which is due travellers discover the productivity value
how many times one will need to fly to to enter service this year, and the Lineage of business jets. now these jets are a
justify the investment. It also helps save 1000E jets to customers in India and necessity rather than a luxury. We are
both time and costs. other countries. optimistic that biz jets will be more in
demand, and we have products to cater to
Tell us about the year that passed by: Challenges Faced in India? every kind of need.
The year 2013 had been good for Embraer Despite the huge potential in India, it India’s leading 500 companies generate
with sales of 119 jets, thus going up in has not been exploited because the almost $1 trillion in annual revenue and
market share to 17.6 per cent. infrastructure for these jets to operate corporate profits are increasing. These
is still very limited. Unlike in the leading are encouraging signs for us. Also, there
How do you see the market markets, such as the U.S, there are is an opportunity for fleet renewal with
in the Asian region? no separate or dedicated terminals or almost 60 per cent of all biz jets in India
India has a huge market potential for entrance for customers of executive jets being over six years and some more than
executive jets. We estimate that over 200 at the airports in India. High taxes, rising 10 years. So it is time for owners and
executive jets will be bought in India in costs to land and park, and fewer parking operators to review their fleets.
the next 10 years. With just 130 jets in slots are also a hindrance. We know, it
all from all suppliers, it has a long way does not happen overnight... The U.S. took
to go compared to, say, China, which has 25 years to get to where it is today.
WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM MAY / JUNE 2014 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 19