Dubai-headquartered Titan Aviation's decision to launch new branches in India reflects the growing importance of Asia to internationally-oriented private charter and aviation companies in Arab Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain.

"Titan Aviation has always been actively present in the Indian market due to the close proximity and trading ties between India and the Middle East," says the company's Henri Lauras. "The inauguration of our new offices is in line with our vision that Titan Aviation will play an active role in supporting the Indian aviation industry."

As well as providing air charters, Titan Aviation also focuses on aircraft management, sales and leasing and human resource consultancy.

Lauras predicts: "The entire buzz of aircraft sales and charter provides proof that India specifically and Asia in general represent the future of aviation industry."

Titan Aviation, he says, has successfully completed more than 25 business jet sales transactions globally ranging from the Phenom 100 to the Legacy 600 and Challenger 300 as well as helicopters.

Titan Aviation India now has offices in Chennai and Bangalore and bdm Imran Ahmed says there is good potential. "Indian companies have started to realise that the business aircraft is no longer a symbol of luxury but a necessary business tool. India will be an important part of our global network that has offices in the US, EU, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore."