Over the decades, globally the millionaire club has grown substantially and so has the range of high-end business jets, pandering to their requirements. And with corporate travel becoming commonplace, jet manufacturers have been continuously upgrading the product, answering both luxury and executive needs.

John Denver’s song “Leavin g on a jet plane” was a big hit in the 1960s. It was in this decade that flying in a jet plane was a big thing, and owning a bigger thing. It was during this period that business jet, as we know it, came into being. The first jets to hit the skies were Lockheed’s Jetstar, Gulfstream II and Learjet and these ‘birds’ cost about a million dollars, an awful lot of money. Millionaire celebrities and business tycoons flew them, for them it was akin to Titanic in the air.

Over the decades, globally the millionaire club has grown substantially and so has the range of high-end business jets, pandering to their requirements. And with corporate travel becoming commonplace, jet manufacturers have been continuously upgrading the product, answering both luxury and executive needs. It was in the 1990s corporate houses started owning business jets and the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) customised the bizjets to look less like hotels but more like offices with laptop connectivity; satellite phones and other accouterments. Travelling to business destinations while working en route or conferencing with colleagues and also relaxing, business jets have become the mode of travel.

The OEMs have got the pulse of the growing high-end market, introducing new technologies, plush interiors, modern concepts and the like and are priced accordingly. Gulfstream 650 is said to be the most expensive business jet, over $50 million ( Rs. 225 crore) as per reports in the media. Bombardier Global 7000 and 8000, which are to see deliveries in the next couple of years will be costlier, according to market indications.

The market is flush with buyers from the sectors of mining; offshore gas exploration; pharmaceuticals; real estate, etc. Hawker Beechcraft, Gulfstream, Embraer, Falcon, Cessna and Bombardier are all aggressively looking for a larger pie of the burgeoning business aviation market.

Daniel Keady, Hawker Beechcraft Vice President, Sales, Asia-Pacific, who was in India for the launch of luxurious products such as yachts, cars and bikes through the newly established company of Inter Globe, The ESTD, said that the demand for all kinds of luxury products in India is expected to soar. “Hawker has been in India for over 50 years and expects highend jets sales to go up considerably. The jets include Hawker 200, 900 and 4000 and all offering value for money and India will continue to become a largest player in the world market.”

Bombardier on a high note

Bombardier offers three families of aircraft, Learjet, Challenger and Global, all proven and doing well globally. Here is what Bombardier spokesperson has to say about their business jets.

“Traditionally, the market in Asia and India has favoured ultra-long range aircraft like our Global Express XRS, in part due to the large distances and number of passengers that travel at any one time. This airplane is perfect for somebody who truly travels around the globe. There is a lot of interest for our recently launched Global 7000 and 8000 jets in India. These new jets were designed based on our customers’ feedback to ensure that they were tailored to their evolving needs.”

The Global 7000 will feature a four-zone cabin (74.67 cu.m), which represents over 20 per cent more living space than the cabin of the current industry leader. The fourth cabin can be used as a full bedroom, office or relaxation space. The superior range of 7,300 nm (13,520 km) allows the aircraft to fly from Mumbai to any destination in Asia, Europe or Middle East, as far as Auckland non-stop at M.0.85 with 10 passengers.

The Global 8000 will feature a three-zone cabin (63.32 cu.m) and a very impressive range of 7,900 nm, allowing non-stop travel from Mumbai to the Eastern United States. New cabin features for both aircraft include maximum natural light through new enlarged windows, a generous baggage suite that is accessible during flight, a crew rest area equipped with reclaimable seats and a spacious galley with optimised meal preparation and storage possibilities.

“Both aircraft will allow our customers to experience an innovative way to customize their aircraft. The approach to cabin zones gives customers more flexibility and choice when defining their floor plan. These aircraft aim at bringing all the comforts of home and convenience of the office on the airplane,” said the spokesperson.

Bombardier already has a solid fleet of aircraft based in the country and our latest market forecast for the business jet industry as a whole projects 325 business jet deliveries for India during the 10-year period covering 2010-19.

“Our business jets are not only luxury products. They’re business tools that allow Indian companies and executives to make most out of their busy schedules. As Indian companies increasingly compete globally, their travel requirements increase significantly and the need for efficiency is critical. A private jet allows them more flexibility, such as the ability to travel to remote cities underserved by commercial airlines, in much less time. The aircraft offers a comfortable, secure and private area to conduct business, with all the technology of a modern office on board to stay in touch at all times. As Indian companies increasingly compete on the global stage, our private jets respond to the growing travel needs of these companies and offer a way to increase efficiency and presence.”