Employment Opportunities

Business or private jets are designed for transporting small groups of people and also often adapted for roles such as the evacuation of casualties and express parcel deliveries by private individuals or government bodies. Lockheed JetStar with ten passengers and two crew was the first official business jet in 1957. Mid 1960s saw a spurt of demand with BAe 125, IAI Westwind, Dassault Falcon 20, Learjet 23, Grumman Gulfstream II, and Cessna Citation, among others. Today the business jet market is dominated by Embraer, Bombardier, Cessna, Gulfstream, Dassault Falcon and super light Pilatus PC-24. Unfolding in next few years are Global 7500XR, Citation Hemisphere and Mustang, Embraer Praetor 500/600 and Legacy 700, Gulfstream G750 and G400NG, Dassault Falcon 9X, Bombardier Challenger 750/350XRS, and Learjet 75XR. Honda has recently produced a cheaper $4.5 million jet to make it more affordable.

WORLD MARKET

In April 2017 there were 22,400 business jets in the world. About 65 per cent of the business jets are in North America, Europe 13 per cent, South America 12 per cent and Asia pacific six per cent. Major manufacturers are Textron Aviation, the makers of Cessna and Beechcraft, with 44 per cent of the market, Bombardier 22 per cent, Gulfstream 13 per cent, Dassault 9.6 per cent and Embraer 5.8 per cent. Rolls-Royce engines power nearly 42 per cent of world business jets. In 2017, 676 business jets were sold. There is a considerable second hand market because a new aircraft depreciates by 50 per cent in five years. After 15 years, it comes close to the cost of a luxury car. In October 2017, Jetcraft forecast 8,349 unit deliveries in the next decade for $252 billion. Cessna would lead in numbers. Gulfstream and Bombardier will lead the market share by revenue. In the period 2016 to 2025, Pratt & Whitney is expected to overtake engine supplies. Honeywell will hold 45 per cent of the $16 billion avionics market ahead of Rockwell Collins and Garmin. Most value will come from ultra-long-range jets, followed by super-midsize jets. Total numbers will grow to 35,000 aircraft. The average utilisation rate was forecast to be 365 flight hours per aircraft per year.

TYPES OF OPERATORS

There are three types of business jet operators, the corporate houses, charter companies and fractional owners. Big corporate houses manage their own operations and maintenance. A 2010 study by the United States National Business Aviation Association found that small and midsize companies that use private jets produce a 219 per cent higher earnings growth rate than those that strictly use airlines. Charter operators own or manage private jets for multiple clients. They manage all aircraft activities for private owners or corporations. A concept of ‘fractional jet’ is where business aircraft are owned by a consortium of companies. The overhead costs such as flight crew, hangarage and maintenance are split among the users. Business jets can be categorised according to their size as Very Light Jets, light jets, and mid-size jets, super mid-size jets (speed, range and comfort of wide-body cabin), large jets (14 to 20 passengers) and VIP airliners (Boeing Business Jet class).

CIVIL AVIATION MARKET IN INDIA

The civil aviation industry in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries. India is expected to displace the UK to become the third largest air passenger market by 2025. India’s passenger traffic grew at 16.52 per cent year on year to reach 308.75 million (243 million domestic) over last ten years. In FY18, domestic freight traffic stood at 1,213.06 million tonnes. As of May 2018, there were nearly 560 commercial aircraft in operation in India. The government allows 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) under automatic route in scheduled air transport service. India’s aviation industry is expected to witness 1 Lakh crore ($15.52 billion) worth of investments in the next five years. The Indian government is planning to invest $1.83 billion for development of airport infrastructure along with aviation navigation services by 2026. Indian aircraft Allocation to Civil Aviation Ministry has been tripled to 6,602.86 crore ($1,019.9 million) under Union Budget 2018-19.

BUSINESS AVIATION IN INDIA

Unlike Civil Aviation, Business Aviation in India has not seen that level of growth. However, the future for BA is very bright and will soon start to unfold. Large country, high population small towns and cities, fastest growing large economy, large number of new airports are positive indicators. There is a feeling that business jets were for the rich and famous, but in the US and Europe, they actually helped grow businesses and should be treated as an economic tool. People are realising the value of time. Price difference is not much as people used to think once. The government is more willing to talk and encourage business aviation as a follow on to regional connectivity scheme. Focus on aviation infrastructure development in smaller cities and towns will make it beneficial. The major hubs will move beyond Delhi and Mumbai. India-based business jets will now fly abroad more frequently, unlike earlier they had to be hired from abroad. Business jets are in big demand during elections. There are of course issues of landing and takeoff slots.

Unlike Civil Aviation, Business Aviation in India has not seen that level of growth. However, the future for BA is very bright and will soon start to unfold.

BUSINESS JET OPERATORS IN INDIA

Nearly 11 years ago, when Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries, India’s richest man, gifted his wife a private luxury jet for her 44th birthday, it made headlines. The Airbus 319 Corporate Jet was reported to cost over Rs four billion ($60 million) having a sky bar, fancy showers, master bedroom and what not. Ratan Tata, is known to fly his Dassault Falcon 2000 himself. Many other corporate houses own business jets. Club One Air, India’s oldest and largest air charter company offers both fractional ownership and charter services. There are nearly 20 other charters mostly based in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Delhi based startup JetSetGo – the online aggregator – gives you a service of booking a charter very much the same way as Uber or Ola offer for booking a cab in the country. JetSetGo already has around 77 aircraft listed on its portal and has already turned profitable.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Beyond the flight operations manager, pilots as well as maintenance and repair personnel, business aviation draws many more careers and employment opportunities related to aviation, luxury travel, customer service and sales. It begins with process of aircraft sales and charter brokers; aviation management and business development; mechanics, avionics technicians, ground attendants and client services; in-flight management and cabin attendants; food and catering; ground staff; flight professionals such as schedulers and dispatchers; customer service professionals and more. The business aviation industry needs accountants, IT professionals, safety coordinators, marketing staff, sales teams, human resource directors, aviation attorneys and safety coordinators. They require aircraft inventory and spares management as also procurement of materials and quality management. There is also the need for security staff. It can be seen that job opportunities are many and growing. There is a need for training academies for all these type of jobs.

JOB SATISFACTION

Like all businesses, aviation has its cyclic ups and downs. Currently, it is seeing a high tide. The sector is expected to grow in the next decade or two. Traditionally the salaries are high. Typically the pilots get close to 5,00,000 a month. The work is highly professional and one gets to interact with high-end well connected clientele. Security and flight safety are major issues. Also customer satisfaction has premium. In that count it remains a high importance and pressure job. Working hours are odd, but one gets to rest in five star comfort during transit. Corporate big-wigs treat pilots and other staff with great respect and understanding. There is a difference between having a job and making a difference. Jobs in Indian business aviation sector are an opportunity waiting to be grabbed.