Mumbai: India's big companies are selling their own jets and chartering flights because of rising operational and input costs amid a sluggish economy and a weak rupee.
In the past year, the number of nonscheduled operators in the country has fallen to 125 from 150, with several companies getting rid of their private jets. The slack has been taken up by private jet operators.
"We are currently doing 55 flights a month now, up 20% from a year earlier," said Atiesh Mishra, general manager of Taj Air, the Tata Group's charter unit. Taj Air has an alliance with Deccan Charters Ltd and Business Jets India Pvt for operating business jets in India. Companies are scrapping or delaying plans to buy planes because of the economic environment.
"There are a lot of corporates who have postponed their plans of buying planes and are looking to hire services of private charter operators. That has led to a rise in passengers for us," said Robin Sharma of Reliance Transport Travels.
12/10/13 Economic Times
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In the past year, the number of nonscheduled operators in the country has fallen to 125 from 150, with several companies getting rid of their private jets. The slack has been taken up by private jet operators.
"We are currently doing 55 flights a month now, up 20% from a year earlier," said Atiesh Mishra, general manager of Taj Air, the Tata Group's charter unit. Taj Air has an alliance with Deccan Charters Ltd and Business Jets India Pvt for operating business jets in India. Companies are scrapping or delaying plans to buy planes because of the economic environment.
"There are a lot of corporates who have postponed their plans of buying planes and are looking to hire services of private charter operators. That has led to a rise in passengers for us," said Robin Sharma of Reliance Transport Travels.
12/10/13 Economic Times
