Air Deccan to induct business class Learjet aircraft

Low cost aviation player Deccan Aviation aims to induct Learjet business aircraft into its chartered service's fleet this calendar year, to boost the business that is growing at a rate of over 30 per cent annually. The company director (Finance) Mohan Kumar, said that the chartered services business, with a current fleet size of ten helicopters, was expected to touch a revenue of close to Rs 60 crore during the current year. "We have clients in the chartered services asking for business jets and our aim is to induct business class Learjet aircraft into our fleet this year. We are in talks with Bombardier for the same," he said, however adding that delivery conditions being tough, the induction could get delayed.

Deccan already has three nine-seater aircraft in the chartered operations division. Eventually, the business jets' fleet could grow to 15 aircraft in five years. Kumar said that the company witnessed increasing opportunities in the chartered business division owing to heightened business activity in the country. "We see more scope and opportunities in areas like power line inspections, road mapping surveys etc," he said. The company currently operates helicopters for oil companies and is active in heli-tourism, medical evacuation, etc. He added that the company's board had earlier planned to hive off its chartered business into a separate unit to give more focus and give distinct identity to the division.

However, the process of separating the unit was not yet on, he said. Deccan Aviation, better known for its low cost carrier Air Deccan, had initiated operations in 1997 as a chartered helicopter services provider. Kumar revealed that the company might initiate one-to-one talks with potential investors to fund its expansion plans. "Our aim is to raise between US$ 60 million and US$ 75 million. Talks are on," he said. Deccan has appointed Edleweiss as its advisor for the transaction.

Courtesy: Indian Express

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