VISTAJET Holding, a Zurich-based, non-scheduled business jet operator, is in talks with the Indian government to start domestic operations in the country.
VistaJet founder and chairman, Thomas Flohr, said in a statement: “VistaJet will continue to increase international flights to and from India, as there is strong demand for these services. Once the company gains critical mass, we will move forward, offering domestic flight services within India, as we did in Russia, Nigeria and China.”
VistaJet has been operating international flights to and from India for the last one year. In 2012, it operated 180 flights to and from the country.
Flohr added that VistaJet expects Indian clients worldwide to contribute to 10 per cent of the company’s revenue. In India, the company will start with three aircraft.
VistaJet CCO, Ian Moore, said: “No one else in the private business aviation sector is taking delivery of brand-new aircraft at the rate we are, nor is anyone more committed to maintaining the youngest fleet in the skies. VistaJet aircraft carried 21,000 passengers last year to 874 destinations.”
This initiative comes at a time when Indian business jet operators face scrutiny and possible penal action for non-compliance with safety practices. DGCA banned all non-scheduled international flights on August 21 as an outcome of an ongoing audit by International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), unless they adhered to a new certification manual that meets ICAO standards.
