What meltdown? Biz honchos go shopping!

The financial meltdown does not seem to have dented the plans of the jet-setting corporate head honchos and politicians in the country . It seems business is as usual, if not better, for marketers of helicopters and private jets.
Among the corporates expecting to buy helicopters in the next three-four months include Reliance Industries, Essar and real estate major DLF, which is buying an AU 139 from the Italian company AugustaWestland, according to industry sources. A number of Delhi and Mumbai-based charter companies are also buying small helicopters like AU 109 and Bell 407 to be in time for the general elections to ferry politicians.
"We are bringing in one aircraft every month, starting this month, until January next year. And all of these have been bought by big corporate houses in the country for their top bosses and they want the machines as of yesterday," said A J S Walia, MD - India, Sikorsky Aircraft. The premium helicopter manufacturer is a part of the $65 billion US conglomerate United Technologies.
And interestingly, all the four aircraft ordered by the Indian corporate houses are in the VVIP version of its executive series S-76 C++. The company has six orders for the improved version of this machine, S-76 D, from public sector undertakings and state governments.
Similarly, of the 40 orders for helicopters that Bell Helicopter has in India for the next three years, significant numbers are from corporates, according to Max E Wiley, vice-president , Asia Pacific Sales of Bell Helicopter. He said even owners of construction companies are buying helicopters to move from site to site.
Further, Bombardier is very bullish about the Indian market and is seeing the numbers of private jets being bought by private companies and governments in the country on an upsurge.
Helicopters are no longer seen as a luxury, but a tool to save time and make quick decisions, especially as industries are increasingly spreading to suburbs. Also, as helicopters are not meant for scheduled operations, but own use, their purchase unlike large commercial aircraft is not affected by the financial crunch and passenger numbers.
No wonder, none of the helicopter makers, participating in the India Aviatiion 2008 has reported any cancellations or deferrals of orders.