Empire Aviation (stand 624) has taken its first business jet under management in India. It comes as the Dubai-based charter and management specialist targets opportunities there following a "strategic investment" in the company earlier this year by India's Air Works.

The aircraft, a 2012 Bombardier Challenger 300, will be based at Bangalore airport, where Empire has opened an office. Empire has one of the largest managed fleets in the Middle East, with 20 aircraft, and expects to have a total of five aircraft under management in India by mid-2013.

In addition to managing the aircraft, Empire Aviation is responsible for recruiting and training crew as well as overseeing flight operations and maintenance.

Paras Dhamecha, executive director of Empire Aviation says: "We are delighted that our office in India is managing its first business jet in India and we are very confident that this new professional management service option will continue to attract new owners and aircraft to the fleet."

Air Works, one of India's most prominent aviation maintenance and services groups, is also using the relationship with Empire to increase its own presence in the Middle East.

Source: Flight Daily News