New Delhi: France-based aircraft manufacturer ATR has 30 aircraft in operation in India. ATR’s turnover stood at $ 1.8 billion in 2014 against $1.63 billion in 2013, and increased its aircraft deliveries to 83 aircraft globally from 74 in 2013. On his first visit to India, ATR Chief Executive Officer Patrick de Castelbajac tells Somesh Jha that the company is in talks with other airlines to provide regional connectivity. Edited excerpts:
How have been ATR’s relations with India so far?
ATR’s journey with India started in 1999, when Jet Airways took the first ATR aircraft. Two-three years later, Air India too started. Then, we had the Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan chapter, which started well but ended not on a good note as the company went down — nothing to do with ATR — but that’s what happened.
Our story with India is now resuming. We have two new operators over the past couple of months. We see interest from both existing operators and newcomers. It is clear to everyone in the industry that the next logical step is tapping the regional aviation. India has a competitive advantage compared to other places because of the strong demographics.
How do you see ATR’s revival in the Indian air space?
ATR will grow significantly in India in the next few years. The current government really wants to simplify things to facilitate business. When you compare the regional aviation in India to other countries, it is massively under-represented.
We have 30 aircraft flying here. When you look at Brazil and Indonesia, we have 80 or more aircraft. But when you see the growth of population in India, not only in terms of volume but more in terms of quality, the number of people who can afford to travel today is roughly 300 million, which is more than the size of Europe. In 10 years, these numbers will rise to 500 million. So, India has much more to offer than Europe.
Read news in full18/07/15 Somesh Jha/Business Standard
How have been ATR’s relations with India so far?
ATR’s journey with India started in 1999, when Jet Airways took the first ATR aircraft. Two-three years later, Air India too started. Then, we had the Kingfisher Airlines and Air Deccan chapter, which started well but ended not on a good note as the company went down — nothing to do with ATR — but that’s what happened.
Our story with India is now resuming. We have two new operators over the past couple of months. We see interest from both existing operators and newcomers. It is clear to everyone in the industry that the next logical step is tapping the regional aviation. India has a competitive advantage compared to other places because of the strong demographics.
How do you see ATR’s revival in the Indian air space?
ATR will grow significantly in India in the next few years. The current government really wants to simplify things to facilitate business. When you compare the regional aviation in India to other countries, it is massively under-represented.
We have 30 aircraft flying here. When you look at Brazil and Indonesia, we have 80 or more aircraft. But when you see the growth of population in India, not only in terms of volume but more in terms of quality, the number of people who can afford to travel today is roughly 300 million, which is more than the size of Europe. In 10 years, these numbers will rise to 500 million. So, India has much more to offer than Europe.
Read news in full18/07/15 Somesh Jha/Business Standard
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