Indian air charter operator Orient Flights is lobbying India's government to allow more private air- craft operations in the country to attract foreign investment.
The Chennai-based company has acquired a Raytheon King Air C90A six-seat turboprop, making it southern India's first charter operator. The aircraft is used more to train commercial pilots, as corporate air travel is strictly regulated in India.
The King Air costs Rs45,000/h ($920/h) and has Indian civil aviation authority approval for non-scheduled flights. Orient Flights president Anand Jacob Verghese says the main market will be visits to remote manufacturing sites, aerial surveys and emergency medical services.
Orient Flight's fleet includes a four-seat Piper Seneca III, other piston aircraft and helicopters.
Source: Flight International
