Gujarat Beckoning Aviation Investments

The Gujarat State Aviation Limited (GUJSAIL) is making an aggressive pitch for investments in the aviation sector, laying out red carpet to investors by facilitating land, tax incentives and simpler clearances.

Talking to SP’s ShowNews, Captain Ajay Chauhan, Director of Civil Aviation, Government of Gujarat, said that the platform of Aero India had helped GUJSAIL to attract significant attention, particularly from non-resident Indians. US-based Affordable Engineering Services has shown interest in setting up MRO facility. He said GUJSAIL is undertaking two studies — one in defence and another on civil aviation — to assess the demand and the capabilities of the State. The reports would be available in the next six months. Meanwhile, the government is developing about 8 airports, adding to the already 19 airports in the State, thus enhancing regional and remote air connectivity. These airports were forward looking, taking into consideration demand for 20 years. It has taken the services of Airport Vienna consulting to develop these airports which would be more than just runways and airport lounge.

Besides infrastructure creation, GUJSAIL, he mentioned would provide incentives to airline operators, MRO players and other allied services. The GUJSAIL MRO facility, he pointed out, had saved considerable foreign exchange. In one year of its existence it had done business of four million USD, while if the aircraft had gone overseas it would have cost almost 16 million USD. The MRO facility is capable of maintenance of Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft.