HYDERABAD, India 12th March, 2014 – Beechcraft Corporation, a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft, has identified India as a key growth market over the coming decade on the back of new market figures and economic growth predictions from leading business executives around the world.

Beechcraft Corporation currently has a 42 percent market share of India’s business aviation fleet, which stands at 253 registered aircraft. This market leadership is even more pronounced when looking at India’s business turboprop segment, where 65 of the 81% or 80% registered in the country are Beechcraft models.

New analysis conducted by Beechcraft ahead of its attendance at India Aviation 2014, which is taking place in Hyderabad this week, also reveals that the company built this strong market share by holding a leading share of new aircraft deliveries over the past decade. Indeed, between 2004 and 2013 Beechcraft delivered 44 business aircraft to India – 39 percent of the total number of deliveries by all manufacturers over this period. Beechcraft’s strength in the business turboprop market over the past ten years was also underlined by its delivery of 20 of the 24 new business turboprops to India – an 83 % share.

This announcement comes a month after Beechcraft announced the opening of a new office in New Delhi dedicated to servicing existing and potential customers in India and the appointment of the company’s first country director.

“Beechcraft has been present in India for more than half a century, and it is as exciting a market for us today as it was then,” said John Williams, Beechcraft country director, India. “We view India as a very important country and we are proud to have developed a strong and loyal customer base that relies on Beechcraft’s track record for rugged, flexible and reliable aircraft to conduct their business air travel.”

New research² for Beechcraft amongst global professional investors and senior business executives found that India’s economy is expected to grow at a faster rate than its fellow BRIC countries. Indeed, 63 percent of respondents believed that India would outstrip Brazil, Russia and China, compared to just 8 percent who felt that its growth would be lower than the BRIC average.

“India’s economy continues to hold great promise – both in terms of local and international commerce,” continued Williams. “This in turn is expected to fuel demand for business aviation within the country as fast-growing local businesses look to unlock potential trade avenues both within India but also in neighbouring countries. As the most-widely used business aircraft in India, we believe that Beechcraft offers the ideal platform for businesses looking to expand their operations on an international level.”

The company this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the King Air series as one of the best-selling business aircraft family in the world. Since 1964, Beechcraft has delivered nearly 7,200 King Airs with the worldwide fleet recently surpassing 60 million flight hours. In 2013, worldwide King Air-series deliveries increased by 52 percent from the previous year.

Beechcraft is displaying a King Air 350ER, King Air 250 and a King Air C90GTx at chalet 4 at India Aviation event this week in Hyderabad.