A word from editor-in-chief
A conducive environment and
industry-friendly policies
will spur business aviation to
greater heights
T
The good news is that business aviation is looking up. It may
take a while for the segment to soar really high, but the signs of
upward trend are clear. And one cannot disbelieve what an aviation analyst has said – that the next 10 years would be better than
the prior 10 and in fact that it will be the best years’ business
aviation has ever experienced, driven by large-scale globalisation.
Two events – the Asian Business Aviation Conference and
Exhibition (ABACE 2014), which concluded recently, and the
upcoming European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (EBACE 2014) in Geneva – are barometers of the trends in
business aviation. The second edition of ABACE in Shanghai has
proved beyond doubt that the Asian giant – China – is waking
up to aviation, particularly business aviation. R. Chandrakanth
in the ABACE show report has indicated that with the opening
up of the economy, the segment is expected to flourish.
So are other countries in the region, including India which
has enormous potential, but is strapped by regulations, policy
paralysis and the perception that business aviation is a rich
man’s toy. It is hoped that the new government will create
an ecosystem for business aviation to flourish. The Bharatiya
Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi,
criss-crossed the nation in an Embraer jet for his election campaign. There can be no better testimony than this of how business aviation can be effective, not just in an election campaign.
Presently, the sector is fighting for survival and the Business Aviation Operators Association (BAOA) is locked in a battle
with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for the onslaught
against business aviation operators. What India needs posthaste is a conducive environment and industry-friendly policies
which will not only spur business aviation, but also have a cascading effect on the economy.
In this issue, Rick Adams, our contributor from Europe,
has done some crystal-gazing on European business aviation
and how it will recover soon, though it may lag the modest
global market recovery. He has spoken to various experts on
behalf of SP’s Aviation to get the pulse of the European business aviation sector.
Moving from business aviation, closer home, the nation
awaits with anticipation mixed with a degree of apprehension
for the new government to take charge at the centre and begin
to deliver. The Indian Air Force (IAF) too is looking forward to
www.sps-aviation.com
the new incumbents turning their attention to the long overdue
revival of its fleet of combat aircraft. The overall scenario in the
IAF today is not inspiring at all. The plans of the IAF to add new
teeth with advanced weapon systems and avionics to its ageing
fleet of Jaguar combat aircraft appear to have hit a roadblock on
account of certain design and development issues.
But the most debilitating factor for the IAF is the inordinate
delay in the award of contract for the 126 medium multi-role
combat aircraft. The Rafale from Dassault Aviation of France
was selected more than two years ago but the contract negotiations are yet to be completed. In this issue Air Marshal B.K.
Pandey traces the long and enduring partnership that has been
built up over the last six decades between the IAF and Dassault
Aviation. Hopefully this partnership will be strengthened further with the induction of the Rafale.
Reviewing the market potential for unmanned aerial vehicles in India, Joseph Noronha believes that India can catch up
with the developed countries in this regard, provided there is
substantial investment and determination.
Writing on Regional Aviation, R. Chandrakanth delves into
the subject of Jets vs Turboprop, a debate that is never ending.
He also focuses on the critical importance for regional carriers
to get the size of the aircraft right for the market they operate in.
All these apart from the regular features. Welcome aboard
and happy landings!
Jayant Baranwal
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
ISSUE 5 • 2014
3