Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation opens New Office in India

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, a major aviation consultancy in Asia, has underscored its confidence in the significant industry reforms planned by the Indian Government by establishing a regional office in New Delhi.

The launch this week of the Centre’s first base on the sub-continent coincides with its planned Low-Cost Airlines in the Asia Pacific symposium, to be held in New Delhi on March 15 and 16.

“We see India as an important new source of opportunities in the aviation area as the Government moves through what should be a substantial reform programme aimed at growing the market,” Mr Peter Harbison, Managing Director of the Centre, said.

“The Centre plans to become heavily involved in the provision of consultancy and advisory services to support the many developments taking place with India’s airlines and airports.

“This is an exciting market with immense potential, and there is every indication that this will progressively be realised through the Government’s new Civil Aviation Policy. Operators and suppliers need to be aware of the myriad of opportunities India presents across the aviation sector.”

The Indian market is expected to grow by up to 10% this year, underpinned by the structural changes taking place and proposed moves to introduce greater liberalisation and investment incentives relating to operations and infrastructure.

Mr Harbison says that, while the government is still finalising the framework for its new Civil Aviation Policy, the industry is likely to be dramatically changed through the planned reform programme. Based on recommendations of the Naresh Chandra Committee, the changes may include improvements to the taxation and excise regime and the introduction of an arrangement offering open access to foreign carriers for the Northern Winter.

Reflecting the recent progress achieved in India, the Centre announced in December that the country’s Minister of State for Civil Aviation, the Honourable, Mr Rajiv Pratap Rudy, had won its Asia Pacific Aviation Minister of the Year Award for his contribution to the reform process. The Minister will be a keynote speaker at the Centre’s Low Cost Airlines in the Asia Pacific symposium next month, which follows a similar event in Singapore on February 12 and 13.

The opening of the Delhi office follows a 12-month assessment by the Centre of the prospects offered by India’s emerging aviation industry.

“We concluded that a local base in India staffed by local people was essential for us to develop our business activities in this rapidly growing market,” Mr Harbison added.

The Centre has appointed a former Air Sahara executive Kapil Kaul to operate its office and market its services in India. Kapil, the Senior Vice President – India for the Centre, has 17 years experience in commercial and corporate areas of the domestic airline and hospitality industry. He served as Vice President Sales and Marketing for East West Airlines for five years to 1997, before moving to Air Sahara as the General Manager Commercial. In 2000, he became Vice President Commercial for Crown Air.