Business Aviation Contributes to Corporate Success
Business Aviation is a vital tool for companies of all sizes, enabling passengers to use their travel time more effectively and efficiently as compared to other modes of travel
Business Aviation is a vital tool for companies of all sizes, enabling passengers to use their travel time more effectively and efficiently as compared to other modes of travel. Studies carried out by professional agencies across the world reveal that major corporations or even small or medium-sized companies that make good use of Business Aviation aircraft, have always been seen to register better performance levels as compared to those companies that do not provide this facility particularly to their executives as well as to other senior personnel in the company. Even the top brass in the company then have to depend on other means of air travel available in the public domain for tasks related to the business interests of the company. Apart from providing a brand image for the company, Business Aviation aircraft in fact, becomes a strategic asset with the company with the help of which, corporates are able to generate higher levels of revenue though greater profitability and improved efficiency levels. In fact, today, Business Aviation is being regarded as a tool for corporate development and growth as it is a major contributor to the success of a company in the future.
INHERENT FLEXIBILITY IN THE SYSTEM
A major attribute of Business Aviation is the high degree of flexibility it offers to the high profile passengers including the choice of route and the required number of stopovers which in turn have multiple advantages for the company. Executives of the company who travel by Business Aviation aircraft are not tied down by the inflexible schedule that is associated with travel by commercial airlines. They have the privilege to chalk out their itinerary to suit the requirements of the company as well as the convenience of those travelling on board the Business Aviation aircraft. Company executives can plan to travel to destinations where the airports do not host commercial flights, but are fully functional albeit without the frills associated with the larger airports. But perhaps the biggest advantage of flying by Business Aviation aircraft is the time saved when compared to travel by commercial airlines that involves arrival at the airport at least two hours before the scheduled time of departure of the flight.
Apart from this, there is considerable harassment to the air traveller on account of usually long queues at the check-in counter and security check on completion of which, there is usually a long wait to board the flight which may get extended in the event of the flight being delayed. Considerable time is also wasted on arrival at the destination in collecting baggage that had been checked in. The harassment to the air passenger is aggravated if the baggage does not arrive by the same flight. Surveys have revealed that Business Aviation offers saving of around two and a half to three hours of precious time for the executives of companies when compared to a similar trip undertaken by them by a commercial airline.
OFFICE IN THE SKY
Apart from the time saved by executives in undertaking company related air travel by Business Aviation aircraft, the time spent in the air by them can also be gainfully employed as the cabin of a Business Aviation aircraft provides an office in the sky that is as functional as an office on the ground. First of all, there is total privacy available in the cabin of the Business Aviation aircraft where the company executives are able to continue to hold business meetings and discussions with complete confidentiality. Apart from holding meetings or conferences, company executives can continue to dispose of pending paper work or clearing other issues while in the air with relative peace and without any interruption. Modern Business Aviation aircraft are well equipped with communication equipment and facilities such as telephone, fax and internet with broadband to provide efficient and uninterrupted connectivity across the globe that enables the company executives on board the Business Aviation aircraft to remain permanently in touch with their offices on the ground or with any other agency or organisation they wish to communicate with. The working environment available in the cabin of a Business Aviation aircraft as well as the other facilities available on board, all contribute to enhancement of the productivity of top management as well as other executives of the company. Thus, while on a journey away from their home base and flying by a Business Aviation aircraft, productivity of the employees of the company is considerably enhanced. Besides, the psychological comfort of business related travel by Business Aviation aircraft, also contributes to the enhancement of their performance and even helps facilitate teamwork.
APART FROM THE TIME SAVED BY EXECUTIVES IN UNDERTAKING COMPANY RELATED AIR TRAVEL BY BUSINESS AVIATION AIRCRAFT, THE TIME SPENT IN THE AIR BY THEM CAN ALSO BE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED.
BUSINESS AVIATION – A CORPORATE ASSET
Investment in Business Aviation aircraft by a corporate is just like investment by the company in high or advanced technologies. While investment in technology may influence or boost performance in a particular segment of the company’s span of activities, Business Aviation contributes to success in practically all sectors of the company’s span of activities. The effect of Business Aviation is therefore described as having a catalytic effect for the company that owns and operates the aircraft. But what is also of significance is that Business Aviation contributes to the economy of the nation as well, as this segment of the civil aviation industry provides employment opportunities to personnel in a variety of disciplines related to flying, maintenance and management of aviation activities.
In the prevailing economic environment in India, Business Aviation has the potential to be a powerful tool to contribute significantly not only to the company’s enterprise value but to the Indian civil aviation industry as well. Unfortunately, Business Aviation does not occupy a place of pride in the Indian civil aviation industry where there is noticeable tilt of focus on the Indian airline industry. There is certainly the need to review the status of Business Aviation in India and introduce the necessary changes in policy and remove regulatory and other barriers to boost the growth of this segment of the industry. Its potential to contribute not only to the success of corporates, but also to the Indian civil aviation industry as a whole as well as to the national economy, needs to be unleashed.
BizAvIndia - CURRENT ISSUE
