India’s biannual international exhibition and conference on civil aviation, India Aviation 2012, held from March 14 to 18 at Begumpet, Hyderabad, gestured that the aviation centre of gravity was indeed moving eastwards

The third edition of India Aviation 2012 had a steady start with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh stating that the growth interest in the flagship aviation event was a reflection that India was fast becoming an aviation hub. But while inaugurating the expo on March 14, he also added that the skies are not expected to clear any time soon and 2012 could prove to be equally challenging.

Addressing a press conference on the occasion, the Civil Aviation Minister ruled out bailing out any private airline stating that it was a ‘free enterprise’ and that the airline companies had to rework their business models accordingly. Tony Tyler, the Director General and CEO of International Air Transport Association (IATA), made a fervent appeal to the Indian Government to rework its aviation policies to keep the industry afloat. “If Delhi has to become a global aviation hub, it cannot happen with the present policies. It is one of the costliest airports in the world,” he said.

Besides the Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner which quite expectantly drew much crowd, Dilip Chhabria’s efforts to refurbish interiors of business jets also made a mark. Air Works in collaboration with DC Design unveiled its first indigenously designed and built prototype at the India Aviation 2012.

Gulfstream Aerospace showcase two of its aircraft—the wide-cabin, high-speed G150 and the large-cabin, longrange G450. For the first time in India, attendees were able to view the G450’s elite interior, the all-new optional interior inspired by Gulfstream’s ultra-large cabin, ultra-long-range G650. The company has appointed Aniruddh Srivastava as Regional Director, Service Parts Distribution, India. Optimistic about India, Roger Sperry, Regional Senior Vice President for International Sales of Gulfstream Aerospace, while addressing the media said that the company sees bright prospects in the Asia-Pacific market with demand predominantly for large cabin business jets.

Indocopters CEO Mike Meyer said that if constraints like taxation, infrastructure, etc are removed and new usages of helicopters such as electronic news gathering, policing, etc take to the skies; the number of helicopters in India could almost double.

Eurocopter displayed its Ecureuil and Dauphin family of helicopters including AS350 B3e, EC130 T2 and AS365 N3+Dauphin. Along with this were EC135 and AS350 B3 on static display. Speaking to SP’s Aviation, Xavier Hay, CEO, Eurocopter India said that the company has good hopes from India and their vision is to be number one in a few years time.

Airbus signed an agreement with CAE Simulator Training to set up a second Indian pilot and maintenance crew training centre. The centre will be located in Noida and is a joint venture between InterGlobe and CAE. Piper Aircraft announced that the Aircraft Search & Aviation Professionals is the latest addition to the growing international network of Piper Aircraft dealers. Indian Rotorcraft, the JV company between Tata Sons and AgustaWestland, had a ceremony marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility in Hyderabad. Interglobe Established signed two MoUs for sale of LET410 aircraft—with Asia Aviation for two aircraft and Turbo Aviation for one aircraft. Bell signed a purchase agreement with India Fly Safe Aviation Ltd for a Bell429. Embraer signed a MoU with Air Works to create a spares repository for all its executive jets in India.

While Bombardier displayed the Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300 and Global 5000 business jets, and Q400 Next-Gen turboprop; the ACJ318, the corporate jet version of the A318 airliner was the Airbus’ highlight. Hawker Beechcraft displayed its Hawker 4000, Hawker 900XP and King Air C90GTX.