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usiness Aircraft Operators’ Association itively contribute in progressing, all the overlapping issues faced by (BAOA) of India was incorporated on March 31, 2011 the BA/GA community. BAOA, being a ‘Not-for-Profit’ and, so to say, a ‘Democratically under the ‘Society Registration Act. XXI of 1860’. It was established for the advancement of both the “Business Governed’ organisation, has today come to be recognised as a collecAviation & the General Aviation (BA/GA)” business in the tive voice for the BA/GA industry in India. In some quarters, however, country, while simultaneously striving to promote the highest lev- Business Aviation is still being looked upon as a ‘Rich Man’s Toy’. As els of safety and efficiency in their operation as per the best global such, advocating the necessity of Business Aviation & its contribution towards developing the economy of the country to ‘the Powers practices. During the last ten years, BAOA has been working (and strug- that be’ has always remained a challenging task! Nevertheless, BAOA gling hard!) to promote unity of purpose, of communication and of has been, to an extent, successful in creating amongst the policy co-operation amongst both the ‘Enrolled BA/GA Members’ as well makers a more realistic understanding of the essential requirements as the ‘Not-as-Yet Enrolled BA/GA Members’. Simultaneously, BAOA that, unless met, would seriously affect the making of the BA/GA into has also been actively pursuing it’s acceptance as a representative a robust industry as a contributing partner in the economy of India. body of the BA/GA community, while identifying & taking up com- In the recent past, regular, positive and very meaningful interactions mon issues with the concerned arms of the ‘Government’, the ‘Regu- have been taking place not only with the Ministry of Civil Aviation latory Bodies’, the associated ‘Non- Profit Organisations/Societies’, (MoCA) & the DGCA (the ‘Aviation Regulators’), but also with other and other components of the larger aviation infrastructure. Over a aviation-related components of the Government, indicative of an period of time, with sustained efforts by its designated members in evolving ‘Collaborative & Supportive Rule-Making’ approach. Presently, rationalisation & resolution of what is considered unanpursuing numerous matters with the Government at appropriate level, a large number of common issues affecting the BA/GA industry imously by the BA/GA community to be a ‘Disproportionate & Unfair have been resolved, even though, the issues taken up were ‘favour- Aeronautical Tariff’ on business aviation, specifically in the areas of ably’ resolved only when finally considered as ‘valid’ by the Ministry ‘Ground Handling and Maintenance Hangars’, remains a matter of primary challenge for BAOA to resolve. A of Civil Aviation / the DGCA / other consecondary challenge is to persuade more of cerned arms/agencies of the Government the ‘Not-as-yet Enrolled BA/GA Members’ with the burden of proof squarely lying on to voluntarily come forward & join BAOA as the BAOA! As an offset of this effort over members, with a view to further strengthen the past 10 years of its existence, the BAOA BAOA as a unified voice, so much needed has also developed a fair and long-term BAOA, being a ‘Not-forto achieve more cohesive results. An outunderstanding of the problems & the genuspoken member of BAOA has termed the ine needs of the BA/GA industry in India. Profit’ organisation, present situation as somewhat ‘Parasitical’ The BAOA commenced it’s journey has today come to in nature, wherein, say, only (about) half of in March 2011, with an initial progressive be recognised as a the BA/GA community are the formal, contotal membership of just over 40 members tributing & struggling members of BAOA, in three categories - ‘Corporate Member’, collective voice for whereas the other half, continuing as non‘Associate Member’ and ‘Foreign Associate the BA/GA industry members, have more or less adopted a pasMember’. Of this, from the initial 20 or so sive stance! The resultant benefits achieved Corporate Members, the strength over the in India due to the efforts of the former half are, years has grown past 40 Corporate Memhowever, subsequently distributed equally, bers, with most of the prominent business without distinction, to the entire BA/GA aircraft operators having become a part of BAOA. As in the year 2020, the total strength of the association in community! It is primarily up to the ‘Aircraft Owners’ & the ‘CEOs’ all categories was countable at over 80 members. On the occasion of of the non-member Business Aviation entities to introspect & take an this decadal anniversary, it needs to be recapitulated with pride that appropriate conscience-based call on the subject. The BA/GA community continues to believe that India, having this has been possible only due to the vision, hard work & immense contribution of the BAOA ‘Founding Fathers’, the successive ‘Govern- been duly recognised today as one of the major & fast growing econoing Boards’ and other actively participating members, as well as by mies in the world, has an immense un-tapped potential for developthe full-time BAOA Managing Director & his meagre but highly dedi- ment of business aviation. With greater focus and emphasis by the Government on growth of various sectors of economy, the BA/GA cated office staff placed at his disposal. Presently, the BAOA is also associated & represented at global community could provide a seamless connectivity for business, medlevel as an active member of the Montreal-based ‘International Busi- ical & exploratory travel to remote & not-so-well-connected areas for ness Aircraft Council (IBAC)’, an umbrella organisation for a number an accelerated development of the country’s basic infrastructure. In the present positively-charged environment, BAOA is firmly of “Business Operators’ Associations” in the world. Sudhir Nayak, a Governing Board member of BAOA, is presently the Treasurer of committed to continue to work with the Government and the RegulaIBAC. Also, Group Captain R.K. Bali (Retd), the current long-time tory Authorities for their clear and specific directives towards firmly Managing Director of BAOA, is also a member of the ‘Policy & Opera- establishing an affordable, robust & efficient BA/GA ecosystem in India. On the eve of the ten years of its formation, the BAOA of India is tions Committee (POC)’ of IBAC. On the domestic front, BAOA is an affiliate member of the firmly determined to get the BA/GA industry its rightful place in the ‘Rotary Wing Society of India (RWSI)’, and of the ‘Maintenance, Indian subcontinent. BAI Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Association of India’. Such affiliations posJai Hind!
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BizAvIndia | ISSUE 1 | 2021
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