India's Bizav Market: Small but Growing

Business jet deliveries in India are increasing fast, according to business aviation consultant Brian Foley (in photo). "In 2009, India's bizjet fleet grew by 14 percent versus a worldwide figure of 5 percent," Foley said. "But India's home-based fleet is less than 1 percent of the worldwide total-only 123 aircraft out of almost 18,000-and this must be kept in perspective." Foley added that aircraft delivered to India generally represent relatively high unit values, as India's geography and international business patterns favor longer-range and therefore higher-cost aircraft. Airport infrastructure is the main obstacle to business aviation growth in India, noted the New Jersey-based consultant, as the country's airports and related services "are not yet adequate...to support a big surge in the aircraft population."