The inaugural Corporate Jet Investor India conference brought together over 200 of the industry's most influential dealmakers and EMCJET was right in the middle of it all.
India Is the Market Everyone Is Watching
If you asked any business jet manufacturer or aircraft broker to name the international market they're most excited about heading into 2026, the answer was unanimous: India. With the fastest growing business aviation fleet in Asia Pacific for three consecutive years and a trajectory toward becoming the region's largest, India's moment has arrived.
That's exactly why the inaugural CJI India 2026 at The Oberoi in New Delhi felt so electric. The event drew more than 200 senior operators, aircraft managers, brokers, financiers, OEMs, and specialist consultants from around the world, all converging on one of the most dynamic markets in global aviation. The energy was palpable from the welcome reception on day one through the final panel on day three.
India's Director General of the DGCA delivered the keynote, underscoring the government's commitment to supporting the growth of business aviation. The regulatory landscape is evolving, and the message from India's leadership was clear: this market is transitioning from latent potential to real execution and scale.
Industry forecasts presented at the conference project between 300 and 400 business jets registered in India by 2030, with the majority of attendees expecting new third party management regulations to be in place by the end of 2027. The demand for charter, aircraft management, fractional ownership, and jet card programs is surging and the infrastructure is rapidly catching up.
Karthik Prabhakaran Represents EMCJET on the Global Stage
We are incredibly proud of Karthik Prabhakaran, our VP of Sales for India and Asia, who represented EMCJET on the main stage at CJI India 2026. Karthik was selected as a panelist for one of the conference's most anticipated sessions, "Transacting Aircraft into India," alongside some of the most respected names in Indian business aviation.
On the panel, Karthik shared his expertise on the aircraft types trending in the Indian market, the nuances of international brokerage versus local market knowledge, and the real world challenges of importing aircraft into India. His insights reflected EMCJET's deep commitment to building lasting relationships in this region and our hands on understanding of what it takes to get deals done in one of the world's most complex and rewarding aviation markets.
The panel explored critical questions that every buyer, seller, and advisor needs to understand when doing business in India:
- Which aircraft types are trending in the Indian market?
- How does local brokerage expertise compare with international capabilities?
- Navigating importation challenges and Reserve Bank of India currency controls
- Building trust and long term relationships with Indian corporate buyers
Karthik's presence on this stage is a testament to EMCJET's growing global footprint. With offices and a strong presence across the USA, Europe, Asia, and India, we are committed to being where our clients need us with the expertise, relationships, and market intelligence to deliver results.
"India's business aviation market isn't a future story anymore. It's happening now. Being part of CJI India allowed us to connect with the people driving this transformation and demonstrate that EMCJET is fully committed to this region for the long term."
Karthik Prabhakaran, VP Sales India & Asia, EMCJET
What We Learned in New Delhi
The growth is real. India's ultra high net worth population is projected to double between 2023 and 2030. Indian corporates are expanding their global presence, and domestic charter demand is accelerating. This isn't speculation. It's momentum backed by capital, infrastructure, and regulatory will.
Relationships matter more than ever. Transacting aircraft in India requires patience, local knowledge, and trust. The importation process, currency controls, and regulatory landscape are unique and having a partner who understands both sides of the table is essential. That's exactly what EMCJET delivers through Karthik and our India/Asia team.
The ecosystem is maturing. From fractional ownership models to new management companies, India's business aviation services landscape is expanding rapidly. Manufacturers and brokers are seeing increased demand from Indian customers, and CJI India made it clear that this market could play a critical role in offsetting any potential global slowdown, much as China did for OEMs back in 2012.
EMCJET's Commitment to India & Asia
CJI India 2026 reinforced what we've believed for some time: India is not just an emerging market. It's a defining one. EMCJET will continue to invest in our presence across India and the broader Asia Pacific region, bringing the same level of precision, access, and results that our clients around the world have come to expect.
We're grateful to Corporate Jet Investor for organizing such a landmark inaugural event, to our fellow panelists and speakers for the quality of the conversations, and most of all, to Karthik for representing the EMCJET brand with the expertise and professionalism that makes us so proud to have him leading our efforts in this incredible market.
