From the Editor-in-Chief

Dear Readers,

Our lead story in this issue is an informal interaction with a man for all seasons who wears multiple hats and is known for “calling a spade a spade.” The multi-faceted Rohit Kapur takes us on his journey of trials and tribulations and how he reached where he is today – Managing Director of Arrow Aircraft and third-time President of BAOA. Acknowledging that he is a better man today for the challenges that he had to face, he feels that his journey has just started.

Although predictions about the future of business aviation in India are optimistic, there is certainly the need to explore newer business models to place this segment of the industry on a better footing. One such business model is one that is followed by international carriers Qatar Airways as well as All Nippon Airways or ANA of Japan. Along with their fleets of regular airliners of varying capacity, these international airlines also operate a business aviation wing with high end business jets. This enables the airlines to serve the needs of those who opt to fly onboard a commercial airliner and those that prefer to fly on board a business jet. In this issue, B.K. Pandey argues that a business model similar to the one adopted by the two international carriers would possibly be a convenient solution of the problems faced by air charter companies in India. Having an air charter company as a subsidiary of an airline, would significantly enhance the market potential in the business aviation segment as the parent airline will be able provide far better financial support.

Giving us the current MRO landscape in General Aviation is Sukhchain Singh. The Indian MRO industry has been, for long, severely affected by numerous taxes, losing out to their international competitor and that the government has to undertake major programmes to develop and improve the ecosystem for the growth of the MRO sector. Also giving his inputs on the MRO sector is D. Anand Bhaskar, CEO of Air Works. In an exclusive interview, he talks about the current state of affairs, the possibilities and how he sees the MRO sector evolving in India. In another exclusive interview, BizAvIndia caught up with Mahesh Iyer, President of Titan Aviation group to learn more about his company’s future plans.

While we all know the primary benefits of a private aircraft like comfort, convenience and the capacity to reach out and take your business to places otherwise not possible; the more elusive fourth C is perhaps the most challenging for C-level managers to realize – cost-efficiency; through operating leases. Simon Davies, Sales Director of Global Jet Capital tells us all about how operating leases are an increasingly popular financing tool that allows business aircraft users to gain access to private aircraft.

All this and more in this issue of BizAvIndia. Have happy landings!