EBACE-Invision Air Ramps Up Phenom Fleet

EBACE Convention News » May 16, 2012

by  Neelam Mathews

May 15, 2012, 1:30 PM

 

Mumbai-based charter start-up Invision Air, which has started to take delivery of 12 Phenom 100s and 300s it ordered from Brazil’s Embraer, has launched its Jet Card membership program, one of the first such offerings in India. While the program offers flexibility and a price advantage to regular fliers, it will benefit owners of private aircraft while their own aircraft undergo maintenance, according to company co-founder Vinit Phatak.

“Using a Jet Card provides all the primary benefits of owning a jet. We have structured our programs at a price point similar to a 3-series BMW/C-Class Mercedes, 5-series BMW/E-Class Mercedes and a 7-series BMW/S-Class Mercedes, so if you can afford to buy one of these cars, you can afford to fly a private jet,” said Phatak.

Invision currently has two operational Phenom 100s in its fleet. Of the six Phenoms 300s on order, the first is due to enter into service in late 2012. Phatak said that in the future he would consider the Legacy 500 and 600 models, as commonality is a big consideration in his business model.

The certification of the Legacy 650 earlier this year in India makes all of Embraer’s executive jets eligible to fly there. Reaction to the Legacy 650 in India has been positive following its display at the India Aviation Show this year, Jose Costas, vice president, marketing and sales, Embraer Executive Jets, Asia Pacific, told AIN. “As such, the Legacy 650 is not expected to replace any current model but presents our clients and prospects [the Indian market] with greater options in terms of aircraft range,” he added.