Zurich-based business jet operator VistaJet Holding SA, has initiated talks with the Indian government to start operations in the country.

Thomas Flohr, founder and chairman, VistaJet, said, “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 with offering domestic flight services within India, as was the case with Russia, Nigeria and China, where VistaJet has opened an office in Beijing. VistaJet is already engaged in discussions with the Indian government regarding the process to establish operations within the country.”

“Discussions (are on) on several levels regarding a local presence in India,” Flohr said, declining to share any details of the investment the company would need to commence general aviation services within India and the specifics of negotiations with local partners. According to Indian foreign direct investment norms, a foreign non-scheduled operator has to form a 74:26 partnership with a domestic partner to launch operations in India.

VistaJet has been operating international flights to and from India for the past 12-18 months and, at any given time, 10 per cent of its fleet of 41 aircraft are flying to or from India. Last year, it operated 150-200 flights to and from the country as per a report in Business Standard.

“The current status of air connectivity in India between urban and rural areas offers huge potential for VistaJet’s service. There are a number of factories and plants located in areas that are extremely difficult and, sometimes, impossible to reach by road/rail or scheduled airlines, which leaves a lot of scope for a service like ours,” Flohr said.

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