Cessna Aircraft sees growing demand in India for both the Caravan and Citation lines, the Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer said this week at Aero India, where it is displaying a Caravan and Citation Mustang. The company believes that applications for business aircraft there will increase in response to anticipated government reforms intended to improve infrastructure and free up market access.

“India is expected to be among the world’s fastest growing economies this year and stands to benefit hugely from the national expansion of business aviation, both for domestic and international travel,” said Bill Harris, Cessna vice president of sales for Asia and Asia-Pacific, at the show. “Cessna is optimistic that legislative and regulatory reforms this year will remove several barriers to India’s aircraft market development. Cessna is positioned to meet the country’s pent-up customer demand.”

The Caravan turboprop single is being offered in India for a variety of business, utility and scheduled commuter applications, for which its ability to operate with minimal ground infrastructure is an advantage. “One of India’s pressing needs is to improve intrastate air links, and the Caravan can cope with the most demanding terrain and is perfectly suited to the extremes of Indian weather,” said Harris.