Global Vectra says it will expand overseas

Mumbai: Global Vectra Helicopters Ltd (GVHL), part of the UK-based $700-million Vectra Group and India's largest private helicopter company, is poised for a big leap. Eduard Van Dam, its new chief executive officer, tells DNA he's "having fun working". Excerpts from an interview:

What changes have you seen in the Indian helicopter industry?
My first experience in India was in the 1980s, when I worked for an aircraft manufacturer. Between then and now, Indian aviation has become more liberalised. From only two government-controlled airlines and Pawan Hans as the only helicopter company, the industry now has many entrants. I find diversity and competition here, which is good for everyone.

What are your plans for Global Vectra?
Global Vectra has grown immensely in the last 10 years, not only in the number of aircrafts or pilots but also in capability. But I would like to see some consolidation. I have clear ideas on expansion and they're supported by the board. But we first want to review our shortcomings and improve. I want the company to expand overseas, too, because there's scope. There are just a few big global players who cover the entire market. Global Vectra, being a professional firm with sound financials and part of a global group of companies, has the expertise to compete.

How will you take your international expansion forward?
We are evaluating the company to see if we have the right equipment, and more importantly, if we are qualified. I intend to take Global Vectra to the level of qualification where we can bid for contracts abroad. I am appointing a consultant to assess our position.

Is the availability of pilots and skilled engineers still a problem?
We have 90 pilots flying our 25 aircrafts. Our pilots need to have a minimum of 1,500-2,000 flying hours and so, we source most of them from the military. We also have few expatriate pilots, who are trained in Bell 413 type helicopters. Keeping the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's flight time and flight duty regulations in mind, we are in a pretty good shape. Besides, we are comfortable with 140 engineers looking after our aircrafts. Going forward, we want to be flexible in our operations by recruiting pilots that are licensed to fly at least two types of aircraft.

Have you been impacted by the global economic crisis?
Not yet, but I am worried that the crisis may impact our fundraising for fleet replacement. Also, if volatility in oil prices hurts our customers' revenues, new orders and tenders may be trimmed or cancelled. The good thing is that any impact will be felt only a year from now.

Tell us about your fleet expansion plans
We will have 29 aircraft by March from the current 25. To our fleet of 22 Bell 412, one EC155, one EC135 and one AS350B3, we will be adding another EC155, two more AS350 B3s and one more EC135. We have already started recruiting more pilots and training them to fly these new aircraft.
15/01/09 Archana Shukla/Daily News & Analysis

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

Categories: Foreign Jan 2009, Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2009