The Hindu Business Line : Raytheon looking at standalone mini terminal

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New Delhi Feb. 14 Raytheon Aircraft Company, a US-based aircraft manufacturer, plans to firm up a strategic partner during the year for a fixed based operator (FBO) unit in India, according to Mr Sean McGeough, Vice-President of International Sales.

"The FBO would be a standalone mini-terminal at an airport, where not only would aircraft fuel be available, there would also be aircraft sales and a charter department, apart from a catering facility. At the moment we have not taken a decision on whether Raytheon will pick up equity in the project. In the US, Raytheon owns FBO, but internationally we do not do so," Mr McGeough said.

Globally, FBOs also provide maintenance and hangar facility for aircraft.

The facility, as and when it comes up, would save corporate customers the hassle of having to go through normal airport channels before boarding a flight.

"The facility can come up either at existing airports or at a greenfield airport."

India is emerging as an important market for Raytheon, he added.

"In value terms, India was third after the UK and Russia in 2006. We sold nine aircraft and clocked business worth $60 million during the year."