New Delhi, June 13:
If Ambani or Mittal can fly private so can you, if you are willing to
spend up to Rs 18,70,000/hour for an A380 chartered flight. Making this
possible is a partnership between UK-based Air Partner and InterGlobe's (the
group which runs Indigo Airlines) subsidiary ESTD.
The companies have tied up to launch a range of private aviation
products in India. Air Partner also holds Royal Warrant as supplier of aircraft
charter to Queen Elizabeth II.
Air Partner at a media interaction here said that clients will have
access to the group's commercial jets services which charters airliners with 20
to 500 seats to move groups of any size. The service will be available 24x7.
With this facility, corporates can fly out their entire staff for MICE
(meeting, incentives, conference or exhibition) or private individuals can take
their entire family for wedding at exotic foreign locations.
Is the timing of the partnership right in the current economic scenario?
Says President and CEO of ESTD, Mr. Nigel Harwood, “It is true that India story
is suffering at this moment, but it is just a blip and we hope the charter
business will grow.”
“We are not expecting anything to happen right now. We are simply
spending money wisely now to make such a venture popular and expect growth in a
time frame of 2-3 years,” CEO of Air Partner, Mr Mark Briffa, added.
Such a partnership will help Indians connect with 21 offices of Air
Partner in 18 countries to get seamless and hassle free travel experience.
The private aviation market in India is estimated at $135 million with
an annual average growth ranging from 10-20 per cent. There are nearly 225
aircraft (small, medium and big) for private use and non schedule operation.
Among these, very few are available for charter business.
At present, there are just a few charter companies and one has to rely
on what the individual company offers. However, with the partnership, one can
get multiple options especially for foreign trips and can decide on service as
well as on the lower tariff.
The business prospect of such a partnership lies in the database of
15,000 companies that are in a position to buy an aircraft or chopper but are
not buying for one reason or the other.
However, there is word of advice from Mr Briffa for chartering A380.
“This will be subject to availability. First there is just one or two
airlines that have some capacity to spare. Second, it may be expensive. So it
is better to charter two comparatively smaller aircraft.”
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