(Bangalore, India): Empire Aviation (EA), a new private aviation specialist and a sister company of Dubai-based Empire Aviation Group – the Middle East’s leading private aviation company – will announce the launch of its comprehensive range of business aviation services for private aircraft owners in India, at Aero India 2013. The one-stop shop approach covers aircraft sales, aircraft management, flight operations and charter.
Empire Aviation took its first business jet under management in India in December 2012. The 2012 model Bombardier Challenger 300 is based at HAL Airport in Bangalore, where EA opened its first office in India recently and where there is already a team of six aviation specialists on the ground. EA is currently in negotiations for a further three managed aircraft and plans to have five aircraft under management in India by mid 2013, with the team doubling in size over the same period.
Paras Dhamecha, Executive Director at Empire Aviation, comments: “The Indian economy is proving robust and with more Indian companies globalizing their operations, we see a healthy future demand for our services, where we can fill the gap for a professional management company, which can simplify the ownership process and experience for owners. This will also help further stimulate the market for business aviation.”
There are still some challenges facing the development of private aviation in India. According to Empire Aviation, the current tough regulations on aircraft importation and ownership are slowing market development, and airports are becoming busier and running close to capacity. However, the company is very optimistic about its prospects in the growing market.
“We see part of our initial role as helping company and individual owners and aircraft operators in India understand the benefits of working with independent and experienced professional aircraft managers,” comments Steve Hartley, Executive Director at Empire Aviation. “Most private aircraft in India are company owned and managed by an inhouse operations team, which is not always very cost effective. Empire Aviation takes an asset management approach to aircraft ownership and management, which starts with understanding the owner’s needs, and building a business model around this, ensuring access to all the benefits of the aircraft whilst protecting its value through professional operation, management and maintenance to manufacturers’ standards.”
Initially established in Bangalore, Empire Aviation plans to extend its services to Indian aircraft owners through a network, including additional offices in north and central India.
“We have made good progress in rapidly establishing EA in India,” concludes Paras Dhamecha. “The initial response from owners and operators has been very encouraging and we are now moving on to the next phase which is to focus on private operators who require the full management spectrum including induction of their aircraft in India.”
Formed in 2007, Dubai-based Empire Aviation Group, a sister company of Empire Aviation, already operates the largest fleet of business jets in the Middle East with over 20 aircraft under management and is bringing its extensive experience and capabilities to India through Empire Aviation.
