Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Cessna Citation 525, CitationJet, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, and M2 Series

Hawker 600/700/800/900 and BAE 125 Series

Dassault Falcon 2000, 2000DX, 2000EX, 2000EX EASy, 2000LX, 2000LXS, and 2000S

Bombardier manufactures a variety of business aircraft models, provides engineering, and aircraft maintenance services.

Bombardier Global Express, XRS, 5000, 5500, 6000, and 6500

Leonardo Helicopters AW109, AW109C, AW109 Grand, AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker, AW109 Power, and AW109 K2, also Agusta A109 and A109 Power

Charles Alcock

India’s exceptional economic performance that has spawned a burgeoning population of high-net-worth individuals is driving strong growth in the business aviation sector, according to Delhi-based private charter operator JetSetGo, which is intently focused on efforts to expand its fleet. The company is also investing management bandwidth in plans to launch new advanced air mobility (AAM) services that could include urban and regional flights using new eVTOL and hybrid-electric aircraft.
According to accountancy group Deloitte, India’s gross domestic product is expected to grow at a rate of between 6.5% and 6.8% in the current financial year, rising to between 6.7% and 7.3% in the following 12-month period. While still below the World Bank-logged rate of 7.6% in 2023, the growth is more than double that of the U.S. and well above the anemic state of Europe’s economies.
Today, JetSetGo’s fleet consists of 10 jets including a Cessna Citation CJ2, three Hawker 800XPs, a Hawker 750, a Hawker 900, a Gulfstream G200, a Dassault Falcon 2000, an Embraer Legacy 600, and a Bombardier Global 6000. It also operates a pair of Leonardo AW109 helicopters.
These aircraft are primarily managed on behalf of their private and corporate owners, with spare capacity made available through the charter market. Based mainly on its core fleet of Hawkers, JetSetGo—which was formed in 2012—has introduced a jet card program and, according to the group’s chief strategy officer, Jonathan Sumner, it is now exploring how block flight-time offerings—potentially including fractional ownership—could support the addition of new-build business jets.
“There is enormous untapped potential for us to provide what is essentially personal air mobility, but [with current business aircraft] the entry price is very high,” Sumner told AIN. This has prompted JetSetGo’s intense interest in what new aircraft could enable in terms of economies of scale that would reduce the price point for alternatives to road and rail connections.
<h2>eVTOLs Could Be in the Mix</h2>
In January, JetSetGo signed a memorandum of understanding with Japanese start-up SkyDrive to explore the business case for deploying its in-development SD05 three-seat eVTOL aircraft for short hops around cities in India’s Gujarat state. The business jet operator has also started a partnership with Embraer spinoff Eve Air Mobility to prepare for the deployment of its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-21/indias-jetsetgo-will-use-eves-air-traffic-management">Vector urban air traffic management software platform</a> to support eVTOL operations in Indian cities.
JetSetGo has already made provisional commitments to buy Overair’s larger Butterfly eVTOL aircraft and Horizon’s Cavorite model—both of which have longer range than the SD-05. In January 2024, the company signed a sales agreement with Electra Aero covering possible orders for its hybrid-electric nine-passenger blown-lift wing short takeoff and landing aircraft, which it views as being suitable for new routes of up to around 500 kilometers (270 nm).
“We’re now seeing an extension of wealth growth outside India’s tier one cities into the tier two and three cities, and that is driving demand for better air connections,” Sumner explained. “We’re seeing growth in private jet demand because there is a service gap for flights where airlines don’t want to go.”
While efforts have been made to use helicopters to fill this gap, it has proved challenging to scale up operations at affordable rates for flights. This is where JetSetGo sees an opening for the new electric and hybrid-electric aircraft it expects to see entering the market from around 2028.
The company has not yet determined how this aspect of its fleet diversification will be funded. For now, its focus is defining the right business model with what Sumner called “a laser focus on the early adopter customer.”
“Outside the U.S., India is probably the best opportunity to see how the new [AAM] model could work,” said Sumner, who is a former managing director of private charter flight platform Victor and a veteran of air taxi start-up Farnborough Aircraft. Between 2001 and 2004,&nbsp;Farnborough Aircraft had tried to bring the F1 Kestrel light aircraft to market at the height of the very light jet revolution that never came to fruition.
A big factor in JetSetGo’s optimism is the current Indian government’s resolve in boosting airport infrastructure and encouraging air transport growth. “Over the past year, we’ve seen all the major [aircraft] OEMs taking India seriously, whereas before we were struggling to get on the radar,” Sumner concluded.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Charter Operator JetSetGo Sees Huge Potential as Wealth Rises in India

Delhi-based operator is exploring options to modernize its fleet

JetSetGo is determining how best to diversify and modernize its private charter fleet to meet air transport service gaps to connect more of India’s cities.

Rising Wealth in India Drives Demand for Personal Air Mobility

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Revenues stabilize as Q4 adjusted EBITDA loss falls to $11.3 million

Wheels Up Eyes Profits as Fleet Efficiencies Grow Margins

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

UK-based charter broker is boosting its presence across Europe

Chapman Freeborn Establishes Charter Base in France

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Moviation plans to operate three initial routes in and around South Korea's capital Seoul

Korean Charter Flight Group Pre-Orders Sora's S-1 eVTOL Aircraft

UK-based aircraft management company has a fleet of 11 business jets

Opul Jets Expands Charter Group with Wallcourt Acquisition

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

BAAFEx 2025

In this article

Cessna Citation 525/CJ Series

Hawker 600/700/800/900 and BAE 125 Series

Falcon 2000 Series

Embraer Legacy 600 and 650

Global 5000 and 6000 Series

Leonardo AW109 Series

Electra

Eve Air Mobility

More In Charter & Fractional

Wheels Up Eyes Profits as Fleet Efficiencies Grow Margins

Revenues stabilize as Q4 adjusted EBITDA loss falls to $11.3 million

Chapman Freeborn Establishes Charter Base in France

UK-based charter broker is boosting its presence across Europe

Korean Charter Flight Group Pre-Orders Sora's S-1 eVTOL Aircraft

Moviation plans to operate three initial routes in and around South Korea's capital Seoul

Opul Jets Expands Charter Group with Wallcourt Acquisition

UK-based aircraft management company has a fleet of 11 business jets

Jet Aviation Singapore Joins ACJ Authorized Service Network

Seletar Airport facility can do warranty-backed work on ACJ 318/319/320/321 bizliner family

China’s Sino Jet Sees Shift to Higher Charter Demand

Young new entrants prefer not to own aircraft but are comfortable traveling in business jets

Following Sale, Flewber Global Is Now Flyte

Online booking platform is poised for growth, according to its new owners

TAG Aviation’s Asia Operations Reach a Turning Point

Business is finally picking up with a significant influx of new business jets

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN