Mallya, whose domestic airline Kingfisher is seeking permission to fly globally, plans to use Epic Aircraft‘s private business jets with single and twin engines, capable of carrying six-seven people, to meet rising demand for such aircraft in the Asia-Pacific region. “Mallya has a significant interest in our company, and we will immediately benefit from his relationships with a variety of companies, including Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, for certification,” Rick Schrameck, president and CEO of Epic Aircraft, told the Indian Express newspaper. “Epic is an outstanding global business opportunity as they have four world-beater aircrafts. There is a growing demand for business jets in the Asia-Pacific region that we hope to tap,”
Mallya, who is a pilot with a multi-engined rating and close to 2,000 flying hours, told the Economic Times. Mallya, with his stake in Epic, plans to make an entry into aircraft manufacturing. Once Epic’s new aircraft are certified, he plans to start producing them in India for the Asia-Pacific market. The billionaire himself flies in a 20-odd seater personal jet, converted from a 140-seater 727 Boeing with an in-flight bar. Epic’s concept of owner-built aircraft, popular in the US, which has thousands of hobby fliers, found favor with Mallya. Epic’s aircraft, which retail for an average of $2.5 million, have lower operating costs than conventional business jets and can be used as air-taxis for point-to-point operations. (m&c.com)
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For over 30 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
