rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Business » 8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires
This article was first published 13 years ago

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Last updated on: December 30, 2011 15:16 IST


Swanky cars have ceased to draw the fancy of business celebrities.

This is the age of sleek business jets and luxury yachts.

Until 2005, there were less than 40 private aircraft in India.

Today, India boasts of about 515 private aircraft, including 257 fixed-wing planes and 258 helicopters.

We present here an account of eight most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaire.

. . .

Tags: India

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Boeing Business Jet 2. (Inset) Mukesh Ambani.

Mukesh Ambani
Aircraft: Boeing Business Jet 2
Price: $73 million

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani owns a fleet of private jets and frequently flies his older version of Global Express.

Boeing Business Jet 2 carries a perfect mix of grandeur and 21st century technology. Powered by two General Electric/Snecma CFM56-7 engines, the BBJ2 can cover an astounding 6616.miles, with a top speed of Mach 0.82.

Ambani's BBJ2 includes a boardroom and plush executive seats.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Boeing Business Jet 2 interior.

The cockpit is equipped with the state of the art Honeywell digital avionics system, along with Flight Dynamics HGS 2000 heads-up display.

In 2007, Mukesh Ambani had gifted his wife, Neeta Ambani, a Rs 242 crore (Rs 2.4 billion) Airbus 319 Corporate Jet on her 44th birthday.

Ambani also owns a Boeing Business Jet 2 which is worth $73 million and also a Falcon 900EX.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Airbus ACJ 319. (Inset) Vijay Mallya.

Vijay Mallya
Aircraft: Airbus ACJ 319
Price: $40 million

Vijay Mallya, owner of United Breweries Group and Kingfisher Airlines, travels in an Airbus ACJ319 luxury business jet that serves as the liquor baron's home-cum-office and offers 6,000 cubic feet of living space.

This magnificent luxury private jet can accommodate up to 24 passengers and comes with removable fuel tanks for extended range, while being powered by two CFM International CFM56-5 engines.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Airbus ACJ 319 interior.

Apart from the ACJ319, Vijay Mallya also owns a Gulfstream, a Hawker and a Boeing 727 aircraft for his corporate and private travel needs.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Bombardier Global Express XRS. (Inset) Anil Ambani.

Anil Ambani
Aircraft: Bombardier Global Express XRS
Price: $38 million.

The chairman of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group loves to live in style and his Bombardier Global Express XRS speaks for his flamboyant lifesyle.

The XRS features a 14.73-metre long cabin and comes with conference table for board room meetings.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Bombardier Global Express XRS interior.

The jet is powered by two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710A2-20 turbofan engines that provide the aircraft with a service ceiling of 51,000 feet.

Bombardier has provided the XRS with a maximum range of 12,000 km.

Ambani's fleet also consists a Falcon 2000 and Falcon 7X.

. . .

 

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream G550. (Inset) Lakshmi Mittal.

Lakshmi Mittal
Aircraft: Gulfstream G550
Price: $38 million

Lakshmi Mittal, chairman and chief executive officer of ArcelorMittal, owns this luxury jet. 

This private jet is powered by twin Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines and can climb up to a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet.

. . .

 

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream G550 interior.

Excluding a crew of two, the G550 can accommodate 19 passengers.

This is one of the very few luxury private jets that have been incorporated with a military grade heads up display.

. . .

Tags: G550

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream IV. (Inset) K P Singh.

KP Singh
Aircraft: Gulfstream IV
Price:$32.5 million

KP Singh, owner of India's biggest real estate developer the DLF Group, acquired a beautiful Gulfstream IV luxury business jet.

This luxury private jet is powered by twin Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines that enable the aircraft to become more fuel efficient, while reducing the noise levels.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream IV interior.

The Gulfstream IV produces a massive 13,850 pound force of thrust and is thus able to attain a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream IV. (Inset) Atul Punj.

Atul Punj
Aircraft: Gulfstream IV
Price: $32.5 million

Atul Punj, chairman of one of the biggest engineering and construction group of India, Punj Lloyd, banks on Gulfstream IV for his travels. 

This luxury business jet is powered by twin Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 engines and can achieve a maximum service ceiling of 45,000 feet.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Gulfstream IV washroom.

The Gulfstream IV for Punj features two luxury beds, a bathroom and a sprawling living room.

. . .

Tags: , Gulfstream

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Dassault Falcon 2000. (Inset) Ratan Tata.

Ratan Tata
Aircraft: Dassault Falcon 2000
Price: $22 million

Tata Group chief Ratan Tata acquired a luxurious Dassault Falcon 2000 luxury business jet to cater to his overtly busy schedule.

He flies this private jet himself.

. .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Dassault Falcon 2000 interior.

The aircraft has been designed to provide transcontinental range.

The Falcon 2000 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines and can achieve a maximum service ceiling of 51,000 feet.

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Bombardier Challenger 600. (Inset) Gautam Singhania.

Gautam Singhania
Aircraft: Bombardier Challenger 600
Price: $21 million

The chairman of Raymonds Group is the proud owner of a stunning Bombardier Challenger 600 luxury business jet.

Eric Roth custom designed this aircraft's interiors. 

. . .

8 most expensive private jets owned by Indian billionaires

Image: Bombardier Challenger 600 interior.

The Bombardier Challenger 600 is powered by two General Electric CF34-3A turbofan engines providing the aircraft with enough thrust to achieve a service ceiling of 41,000 feet.