EoIs can come in anytime before the month ends
NEW DELHI: The Delhi International Airport (DIAL) has invited expressions of interest from global players for setting up a dedicated facility for private and charter aircraft.
The EoIs can come in till the end of this month.
DIAL’s move comes on the back of rapid growth in private and charter aircraft in the country. According to industry estimates, the number of private aircraft (at about 100) is expected to cross the number of aircraft available for commercial use in the next few years.
Already, the number of such planes has increased by 22% in Delhi in 2007-08, with nearly 10,000 aircraft movements.
The EoIs can be submitted by fixed base operators (FBOs) based anywhere around the world. The selected companies will then build and maintain dedicated services for private and charter aircraft.
Apart from providing handling and catering services for general aviation operators, the proposed facility would also build special lounges and conferencing facilities, besides offering luxury pickup and drop services for such customers.
DIAL’s proposal comes amid a raging debate over whether the private and charter aircraft business in India is encouraging duty evasion by powerful corporate houses.
Over the last fortnight, some big industrialists have been accused of illegally importing aircraft under the NSOP (non-scheduled operator permit) scheme and have been charged with duty evasion.
Civil aviation minister Praful Patel has already made it clear that though evaders need to be dealt with, the import of private and charter aircraft under NSOP is a good move and needs to be encouraged.
b_sindhu@dnaindia.net
