From the Editor-in-Chief

Dear Reader,

Life seems to be restarting with the lockdown restrictions being eventually lifted in most parts of the world. However the consequences that have resulted, due to the lockdown, can still be felt deeply. The aviation industry, including the business aviation industry is yet to witness a smooth take-off but constant steps are in the process. Owing to the social distancing measures that are of utmost significance in dealing with the novel coronavirus, there has been a major shift of interest among people towards business aviation.

Flying private is no longer being seen as just an elitist way of commuting but now, also as a safer and more efficient way with fewer touch points and minimal crowd encounter involved. However, the concerns still stay especially if one is a first timer considering to travel in a business jet. In this edition of BizAvIndia, Rohit Kapur, President for Jet HQ Asia answers some questions that are likely to spring up in the minds of first time private jet travellers about safety, cost, procedure, etc. Sanjeev Chaudhry, President- Business Development Arrow Aircraft Sales and Charters Pvt Ltd also shares details of travelling in a business jet and throws light on shared or fractional ownership of a business aircraft.

Gulfstream redefined luxury travel with the launch of G700, world’s largest private jet with the tallest, widest and longest cabin in the industry. In an interview to BizAvIndia for this issue, Colin Miller, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Engineering and Flight, Gulfstream gives a detailed insight into the G700.

While in a hopeful news, business aviation industry has started to show signs of recovery in some regions of the world. In this issue, Ayushee Chaudhary covers how Europe continued to be the region where business aviation is coming back strongest, with July-August trends up to 89 per cent of comparative activity in 2019. India, is meanwhile set to have its first fully integrated general aviation terminal in Delhi. A report by Ayushee Chaudhary highlights the details of the terminal.

Consistent efforts are on from the Business Aviation Operators Association (BAOA) with the government to ensure that necessary steps are taken to encourage the growth of business aviation in the country, more so after the pandemic situation. Collaboration across the industry and survival of the fittest was highlighted by BAOA’s President as he addressed the 10th Annual General Meeting of BAOA held virtually for the first time. The report highlights certain significant concerns being taken up by BAOA with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).

Significant features from the special report titled, ‘Social impact of General Aviation’ prepared by BAOA in collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada have also been included in this edition.

All this and much more in this issue of BizAvIndia. Welcome aboard and we wish you many happy landings!