Taj Plans To Sell Executive Aircraft

The Tatas-controlled Taj Group of hotels is planning to sell its executive jet -- Hawker Siddley 125-700 B. The group operates the air charter service under the Taj Air brand.

The sale of the aircraft will decrease the number of planes under the company to one, the other being a latest 8-seater Falcon 2000 that it acquired last year. The Hawker Siddley was of 16-year vintage.

However, the group plans to expand its executive fleet by the end of this fiscal, details of which is currently being thrashed out by senior Taj group officials. At the same time, the Taj Group has ventured into the cruise liner business.

The group has bought two yachts of Ambassador 47 model from Gulf Craft at an undisclosed price. Taj Yacht will cater to the customers of Taj Goa and Kerala properties.

It will provide additional facilities such as backwater cruises and business entertainment to customers, Taj sources said.

According to senior officials, Taj Air is working closely with the sales and marketing team to create attractive packages primarily for the high-end European and American user.

"The air charter service is important as one need to provide the same quality of service that is expected at Taj Luxury hotels," they said.

Taj Air, which operates from Mumbai, flies to any destination in India and abroad within a radius of seven flying hours.

"Depending upon the success of Taj Yacht at these properties, we will extend the facilities to other regions such as Chennai," the officials added.

Senior executives of Indian Hotels said, "We are in discussions with two or three overseas players for the sale of the aircraft." The deal is expected to be completed by the year end.

The 8-seater Hawker Siddley aircraft came into the Taj group's kitty through the acquisition of Megapode Airlines. The Taj group, through companies such as Orient Holdings, a subsidiary of Oriental Hotels, holds a stake in Megapode Airlines.