Page 28 - AAA MARCH - APRIL 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE HOPE AMID GLOOME

Hope Amid Gloom

The private jet market is making a gradual recovery
By Jay Menon

businEss aviation in india is on “By 2017, the Indian aviation market
the cusp of the next phase of growth, is projected to be among the three largest
but regulatory knots and infrastructure markets globally. The General Aviation
constraints can stymie its good prospects. (GA) market, which includes business jets,
Since the economic downturn in 2008, is expected to grow at 10% per annum
the private jet market has made a gradual to cross 16 billion rupees as nearly 300
recovery. It is estimated that the country business jets, 300 small aircraft and 250
is currently the second-largest business helicopters are expected to be added to
jet market in the Asia-Pacific region with a the present fleet by then,” says Dhiraj
fleet of 165, up from 26 in 2005, and a total Mathur, Executive Director & Leader,
number of over 200 non-scheduled airline Aerospace & Defence Practice at the
operators. China leads the market with a PricewaterhouseCoopers India.
fleet of 220 aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil
The increasing number of high-net- Aviation (DGCA) estimates that the general
worth individuals coupled with expanding aviation fleet in India comprises around
business interests and a demand for 800 small aircraft and 300 helicopters.
private aircraft from unconventional Tier India is poised to experience a rapid
1 and Tier II cities are likely to drive the upswing in the business aviation sector
Beechcraft King Air 350E growth in the segment. due to its strategic geographic location,

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