The Hindu Business Line : Subrata Roy enters elite club with Boeing

THE club of the rich and the famous who hop into their own aircraft and fly around the world for business or pleasure has another member. Mr Subrata Roy, Managing Worker and Chairman of the Sahara Group, has joined this exclusive list.

A leased Boeing Business Jet, more popularly referred to as BBJ, which is to be used by Mr Roy, landed at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport late this evening. Sources indicated that the aircraft has been leased by the Sahara India Pariwar.

The BBJ, which is a Boeing 737-700 NG (Next Generation) aircraft, is said to be fitted with an extra-fuel tank to undertake long distance flights. It is also said to have the wing and landing gear of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

Industry watchers said the long-distance VIP aircraft would have little difficulty in flying non-stop between several far-away cities including Delhi and London.

The Sahara Group has varied business interests such as infrastructure and housing, aviation and a satellite television channel. The group also runs Air Sahara, which operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737 and the Bombardier aircraft.

Sources said BBJ has been designed for corporate and VIP applications and is a special, high-speed derivate of the Boeing 737-700 aircraft. There are currently about 80 BBJs in service around the world. The fleet has generated more than 1,21,000 flight hours and 49,000 flights to date.

The latest acquisition could provide the Sahara Group an entry into an exclusive club that includes the Ambanis, the Tatas and the Mallyas,who are said to maintain aircraft for top corporate bosses to fly in.