Pilots Blog

3rd Indian Business Aviation Expo (IBAE)

There was a large turnout for 3rd IBAE event staged 21-22 February in Delhi. With delegate numbers up by 40% on last year, those assembled heard from many of the country's business aviation leaders, who told us that the business jet fleet had expanded from 55 in 2007 to 150 in 2011. The current GA industry in India is valued at $220 million and is expected to be worth $320 million by 2017. However, there are many issues still to be addressed with tax and regulatory restrictions acting as a brake on growth. 

Chief guest, Naveen Jindal, Member of Parliament and head of Jindal Steel, pledged his support to the industry and recounted some of the frustrations and petty bureaucracy he had encountered whilst operating his company's aircraft which were essential to his business and the future prosperity of India. 

Kapil Kaul, CEO of leading analysts, CAPA, was critical of inaction from the executive branch saying little had happened since last year's event in terms of simplifying the regulatory environment, but believes that the Light Jet category will prove particularly popular in India. The number of GA operators has now grown to 150, with many favouring the light jet.

MRO is also a growth business, with Hawker Beechcraft suggesting the industry will be worth $2.5 billion by 2020. We also heard that the wealthiest were growing more quickly in the BRIC economies with China now accounting for 115 $billionaires, more than Europe, and India accounting for 55, more than the UK. 

As those operating in India are aware, the regulatory process is complex, bureaucratic and slow to change, with GA taking a back seat to commercial operations, so much still needs to be done to lobby Government and promote the interests of those attending IBAE 2012. 

With over 50 members now, the Business Aircraft Operators Association, has some serious clout and delegates were urged to join with the Association in pushing for change and to help the executive and legislative branch better understand the role of Business Aviation in nation building.

Proceedings are available at: http://www.miuevents.com/archive/ibae2012