Empire strikes at Indian market with new Mumbai venture

The company said today that it plans to start operations in India, with a new branch office opening in
Mumbai by mid 2011.

The new branch - the company’s first operation outside Dubai - will eventually offer the full range of Empire Aviation Group services in the subcontinent, and will have an initial focus on aircraft sales and management.

Speaking today at the Kerala Aircraft Static Display Show  held in Cochin,executive director Steve Hartley,(pictured below) said this is the right time to enter the Indian aviation market, as private jet registrations have continued to rise strongly over the last three years.

”Market reports suggest that there are around 130-140 private jets currently based in the market, covering all the major manufacturers. The market opportunity is especially attractive for our aircraft management services, in which we take owners’ aircraft onto our mixed fleet and manage, operate and charter them on behalf of the owner. We believe there is also good potential for new and pre-owned aircraft sales, in a market which is clearly recognising the benefits of private aviation and as the aviation infrastructure develops rapidly to accommodate and support this trend,” he said