India's business jet fleet has climbed by nearly 50% in the past 36 months, according to US consultancy Firestone Management.
In its first biannual report on the subcontinent's private jet landscape, Firestone says there were 136 business jets registered in India on 15 March - 95 of which were less than 10 years old. In the past 36 months alone, 43 jets have been added to the Indian aircraft register, representing a 46% rise.
"The growth opportunity for private jet manufacturers to deliver their products into India is tremendous," says Firestone founder and managing director Justin Firestone. "As the world's largest democracy, the second most populous country and one of the fastest growing major economies, this quantitative data indicates India is clearly embracing the need for safe and efficient business jet travel."
Hawker Beechcraft tops the manufacturer chart with 35 jets registered - 26% of the installed base. Cessna is second with 31 private jets, Bombardier's total is 24, there are 17 Dassault jets and Gulfstream's business jet tally is 15.
"Embraer, Boeing and Airbus have yet to reach double digits with nine, three and two private jets respectively," says Firestone.
Source: Flight International
