Aircraft

India could dedicate some airports in major cities solely for the use of private jets, giving a major boost to a growing domestic business aviation industry that has been lobbying for such a move for several years.

"With the charter services industry growing rapidly in the country, we want to bring in exclusive airports for them. It will be beneficial for all," says K N Shrivastava, joint secretary at the ministry of civil aviation.

This will, he adds, ease the congestion at airports in major cities such as Bangalore, Mumbai and New Delhi.

Industry sources say that private jets account for about 10% of the landings in Mumbai and New Delhi and 5% in Bangalore. "These occupy parking space and longer runway time to take off. So for the sake of a few passengers, thousands are held up," says Shrivastava.

Having separate facilities for charter operators would ease the pressure on existing airports, which are already bursting at the seams trying to cope with the rapid expansion of the commercial aviation market over the past few years.

It would also be good news for private jet operators, which would benefit from lower landing and associated costs at secondary airports.

There would also be dedicated customs and immigration facilities for passengers, especially since there are no fixed-base operations in the country.

"Dedicated airports would take away the need for FBOs," says Karan Singh, president of the Business Aviation Association of India (BAAI) and managing director of Kubase Aviation.

"Our clients would be able to go straight through customs and immigration without having to endure the long queues that are the norm in the major airports. Many users of private jets are businessmen and senior executives who have very little time and this would greatly benefit them."

Private jets would also be able to take off and land with greater flexibility - Mumbai and New Delhi airports impose restrictions on the movement of private jets at certain times of the day.

"When traffic was low about eight years ago, there was no problem. Now there is a shortage of parking and hangar space, and a lot of delays when taking off and landing. This is a very good and practical idea that the industry needs in India," says Viren Gupta, chief executive of Multitrack Aircraft Charters and Leasing.

Sources say that Juhu, on the outskirts of Mumbai, has been identified as the first location and areas around Bangalore, Chennai and New Delhi are also being considered.

But they point out that the airports should not be too far from the city. "Given the distance of some airfields and the state of roads in India, it does not make sense to have a 90 minute ride into town after a 60 minute flight," says one industry official.

Some observers doubt that the ministry would be willing to invest in redeveloping these airports and secondary facilities such as roads when it benefits only a small number of users.

And given the snail pace at which infrastructure projects proceed in India, others say that it could be some years before the plan comes to fruition in any case.

An alternative idea would be for private companies, especially those with experience in the business aviation industry, to lease and operate such airports. "Given the rapidly growing demand for business aviation in India, it could prove to be a lucrative business opportunity for someone who is keen to get into the market," says Gupta.

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