“The government treats business aviation like a rich man’s toy,” said an Indian business jet operator speaking to AIN on condition of anonymity. The comment neatly summarizes the context for the continuing obstacles to business aviation growth in a country where largely positive economic conditions should be driving a major uptick in expansion of the industry. But with no clear policy framework, India’s business and general aviation community is being stifled by limited infrastructure, regulatory hurdles and high taxation. The latest trends indicate owners are increasingly shying away from purchasing aircraft. This is what has prompted India’s Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA) to present a 50-item legislative wish list to the country’s ministry of aviation. The latest obstacle thrown in business aviation’s way is a new requirement that the ministry has to approve each and every aircraft purchase by specific model type. BAOA sees this move as having brought the private aviation sector into the approval quagmire already retarding growth in the country’s airline sector.
04/02/13 AINonline
