24 February,2011 06:43 AM IST | | Bipin Kumar Singh
Business class travellers make a beeline for charter flights for comfort and privacy; the cost on a per-person basis works out to almost the same as a business-class ticket on some sectors
Charter companies may not compete with big airline operators in terms of total passenger traffic, but they are beginning to eat into a large chunk of their business-class travellers.
An unprecedented number of corporate jetsetters in the country are now taking to chartering aircraft to get to their destinations as it affords them more privacy and comfort and costs them nearly the same as a business-class ticket when travelling in groups (see box).
What is also working in favour of charter flight operators is that major airlines often don't have enough flights operating on routes, which business travellers want to fly.
Ameya Gori, spokesperson, Airnetz aviation, one of the leading providers of charter and chopper services in the country, said, "We have been getting good business from corporate clients, especially those flying business class.
We have seen a substantial increase in demand compared to the last fiscal. We have a fleet of over hundred aircraft in India in every category, from helicopters to airplanes, out of which thirty are being operated from Mumbai."
Vineet Pathak, managing director, Invision Air Services Private Ltd, which is going to begin operations in a week, said, "The concept behind launching our services is to give maximum comfort to business-class passengers.
Not only do charter services afford comfort and privacy, they also get travellers to their destinations faster, which is very important to corporate travellers."
"Keeping the demand in mind, we have decided to purchase eighteen four-seater aircraft, exclusively designed for the business-class traveller, in which even one person will feel comfortable on board. We are also going to purchase two eight-seater aircraft," added Pathak
"Charter services are doing extremely well in sectors, on which most airlines don't fly. India has a huge potential for charter services and we will see a substantial increase in demand in the future as well," said Captain Sandip Saraf, a chartered pilot.
Doing the math
> An eight-seater B2-200 charter is available for Rs 80,000 per hour. It takes two hours to reach Delhi from Mumbai, which means the return journey will cost Rs 3.20 lakh, or Rs 40,000 per person.
> A business-class return ticket between Delhi and Mumbai costs approximately the same amount (Rs 30,000-40,000).
> An economy-class return ticket on the same sector costs approximately Rs 7,000.
Chartering aircraft actually works out cheaper than business-class tickets in sectors where major airlines operate fewer flights. A charter services provider recently announced rates for its daily Delhi-Kullu-Shimla-Delhi flight that are nearly 30 per cent cheaper than the cost of a business-class ticket on major airlines operating in that sector on a per-person basis.
Advantages
1. Complete privacy for corporate clients
2. Reliable service
3. Cost effective
4. Luxurious travel
Charter
Rs 40,000
Business
Rs 30-40k
Economy
Rs 7,000
