By IANS,
Mumbai : Thirty-nine business aircraft operators, representing 65 percent of the country’s fleet in this category, have formed an association to define standards for the sector and promote its growth, an official said here Friday.
“The Business Aircraft Operators’ Association (BAOA) will be the industry’s first recognised body and provide a platform to encourage close cooperation among the various stake holders in the aviation sector,” said its first president Rohit Kapur.
BAOA comprises key members of Indian industry, private and commercial operators, airframe and engine manufacturers, Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MROs) and other service providers.
Kapur said the business aviation industry is growing at an encouraging rate and India will be the third largest aviation market in the world by 2020.
“Considering the immense potential and with India slated to add more than a 1,000 aircraft over the next 10 years, there is a need for a body like BAOA,” he said.
He said business aviation facilitates productivity and efficiency by saving time, enables access to areas with little or no airline services, reaches multiple destinations, serves industries like mining or oil and gas, and helps generate both revenue and employment in the economy.
However, Kapur said the industry is grappling concerns related to infrastructure and policy framework, besides inadequate definition of safety and security standards, for which co-operation of various ministries would be solicited.
“The pace of growth in business aviation has outgrown the infrastructure available for the industry,” he said.
“We shall seek support from the regulatory bodies to develop adequate infrastructure and facilities for business aviation and further help on policies, regulations, and custom duties among other matters, and help create a favourable environment for business aviation in India,” Kapur added.
BAOA has also been accorded recognition by the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), which is the umbrella organisation for all business aviation activities across the world.
IBAC is co-located with and has permanent observer status with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).