High-end gadgets, full-fledged office... Kerala billionaire Ravi Pillai’s private jet has it all

“Time is money. So, I bought this private jet to save time,” says noted industrialist Ravi Pillai, the Chairman of RP Group as he flies in his brand-new G 600 airplane. Ravi Pillai has set up an office space as well as the comforts of a house inside the private jet. He could do phone calls and video conferences to any part of the world from the airplane. He added that the interiors of the private jet have been designed according to his likes and preferences.

The private jet worth Rs 650 crore is equipped with modern communication facilities. The airplane was brought from Bahrain to Tirupati on April 11 to perform the pooja. Special permissions had to be secured to land the jet at Tirupati where there is no international airport. The airplane then flew to the hanger in Kochi on the next day. The private jet was welcomed at Kochi with a grand water salute. Poojas were performed by the former chief priest of Guruvayoor temple at 11.45 am on April 14. After the pooja rituals that lasted for 45 minutes, Ravi Pillai and his family boarded the private jet and flew to Thiruvananthapuram from the domestic terminal here.

The high-speed jet airplane took less than half an hour to land in Thiruvananthapuram. Ravi Pillai who owns the luxurious Leela Palace Hotel in Kovalam viewed the scintillating beauty of the landscape from the airplane window. He opened up about his latest project in Thiruvananthapuram and also the scholarships worth Rs 550 for the students.

Why did you decide to buy a private jet?
Time is precious. The energy business based in the US, Europe and Africa has grown significantly, so the number of my journeys have increased. Now, we are planning a grand project in Mozambique. I had to buy a private plane to travel to these places often. Factors like time, safety and clean air were considered before making this decision. Usually, it would take at least eight hours at two airports to fly from Bahrain to Dubai. We could save that time if we have a jet like this.

Isn’t it expensive to maintain a private jet?
Yes, it is. Salaries for two pilots, an airhostess, the airport charges at each place and the rent comes up to an exorbitant amount. We have entered into a contract with Gauda Airways to manage such things.

Will the plane be ready at all times for the journeys?
The plane would be ready if we inform two or three hours before the trip. Arrangements have been made inside the airplane for you to stay up in the air for three or four days.
Have you ever dreamed of owning a private jet?
No, I didn’t. I believe that everything is a gift from God. It is God’s blessings for our hard work.

Besides the energy sector, you are focused on the hospitality sector too. Will Kerala get new projects?
We have plans to open a convention centre with modern facilities in Thiruvananthapuram. The final decision will be made in two or three days.
Pooja at CIAL hanger
The pooja rituals of the G 600 private jet owned by noted industrialist Ravi Pillai was held at the hanger in the Cochin International Airport. It is for the first time that a pooja ceremony was conducted here. The maintenance works and inspections of the aircraft was conducted by the Indian aircraft maintenance company Air Works. Interestingly, this aircraft maintenance company was founded by the Menon brothers 75 years ago. The company has two hangers at CIAL where up to four aircrafts could be parked at the same time.

Air Works manages the maintenance works of around one third of the international aircrafts taking off from India. The regular maintenance done every two years or after 1000 flights would cost more than Rs 1 crore. Deepak Soman, Manager of the company said that Air Works, which is the oldest aircraft maintenance company in India is the only firm that has the licence to maintain or service defence aircrafts. Special pooja that lasted more than 45 minutes was conducted at one of the hangers for the G 600 aircraft owned by industrialist Ravi Pillai.