Luxury on two wings

With the civil aviation ministry already clearing about 100 requests for acquiring corporate aircrafts in the past six months, aircraft manufacturers from the worldover, understandably, are eyeing India as their brand new target. Experts even expect this number to double before 2007 ends.
For now, only the biggies flaunt these toys. This includes electronics’ major Videocon, GMR group and TVS Motors. Meanwhile, Dr Vijay Mallya’s UB Group has already received a bigger jet from Airbus corporate jetliners.
Indeed, it is still an exclusive club. The reason: business jets come for a price. David Velupillai, product marketing manager, Executive & Private Aviation, Airbus, puts the price tag of around $55 million for a big corporate jet. The Indian skies, as they say, is a virtual battleground. If on the one hand we have the low cost carriers that driving domestic traffic growth to 50%, the market for corporate jets is expected to grow by almost 100%.
Airbus’ corporate jetliners have won a record 22 sales in 2006, giving them their best year ever. Boeing, however, has had 100 sales. Airbus ACJ Family’s total sales now stand at around 80.
31/12/06 Atreyee Dev Roy/Financial Express

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline