Swiss business aviation services provider ExecuJet Aviation is to enter the Indian market after receiving permission to build a fixed-based operation (FBO) and maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport.
Mike Berry, ExecuJet vice-president for the Middle East, describes the award as “a significant win” for the Luxaviation subsidiary, which already has FBOs in 20 locations worldwide and an inventory of around 100 managed aircraft.
“We have had India on our radar for many years,” he says. “These new facilities will provide ExecuJet with the platform to expand our geographic footprint and service proposition, in line with our own growth strategy."
ExecuJet has partnered with Indian aviation services company Bird Group to help build and support the new infrastructure.
“A maintenance, planning and engineering team will be in place within the next three months,” says Berry. “The business will be expanded as the managed fleet and customer base increases."
According to Flightglobal’s Fleets Analyzer database, India has an installed fleet of just 22 business aircraft. However, predicted Indian economic growth is likely to spur demand for business aviation in the country.
Bombardier’s latest market forecast, for example, predicts deliveries of more than 300 business jets in the light to ultra-long-range categories between 2015 and 2024, spurred by expected average GDP growth of 7% per year.
Source: Flight International
