Luxury brands reach the skies, advertise in charter flights

To grab the eyeballs of high networth individuals (HNI’s), several luxury brands are advertising in charter planes. What’s more, the general aviation industry doesn’t seem to be complaining.

It gives an opportunity for the affluent class, hopping on to a chopper or a charter to kill their journey time, by enjoying the ads for a villa or a BMW on board.

“Since lot of luxury brands are coming to India, and there is a growing number of air charter flyers, luxury brands advertising inside an aircraft has opened up a new channel for advertising in the niche,” says an official from Airnetz Aviation Private Ltd.

Airnetz, a third party agent,has contracted a fleet of 100 aircraft in India and 700 globally. “Each of the aircrafts associated with our fleet, does about 450-500 hours of business every year, and carries approximately 700-800 high profile clientele every year. This gives a perfect opportunity to advertise for super luxury brands in the segment.” said Omkar Mestry, chief operating officer (COO), Airnetz Charter.

Airnetz has been receiving advertising contracts  for the past one month from apartments and villas in two and three tier cities outside Mumbai and their price-range starts from Rs 1 Crore, generating 10 to 12 queries and selling 1 villa in the process.

The clients of Airnetz include frequent flyers, often hiring the same aircraft. “Our clients are Mumbai based and at present the branding is on our seven aircrafts hired from Mumbai,” he says. “Soon we will also start advertisements for luxury cars and jewellery on other routes,” he says.

Low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Deccan started the concept of branding in India. Now its general aviation cousin Deccan Charter Limited from Bangalore also wants to revive the idea.