By Mallika Bhagat
We’ve all followed with bated breaths when our favourite stars land at the Kalina Airport in Mumbai, exiting the private terminal only to be papped by a dozen photographers permanently stationed outside. But if you thought private jets were only for Bollywood stars and billionaires, think again. India’s private aviation industry is actually soaring, quite literally. From business tycoons wanting to zip between Mumbai and Delhi in style, to families chartering jets for weddings and pilgrimages, more Indians are skipping crowded airport terminals and chartering private jets. If you’re wondering what it costs to get a taste of the sky-high life, here’s the low-down on what it’ll cost you to rent your own plane. What’s The Difference Between A Private Jet And A Chartered Flight? Though many people use the terms private jet and chartered flight interchangeably, there’s a key difference. A private jet typically refers to a small aircraft seating 4 to 18 passengers, which can either be owned by an individual or rented for a trip. A chartered flight, on the other hand, is any aircraft (from a 8-seater private jet or a large 180-seater airliner) that’s rented out exclusively for a specific journey. In India, you can charter a single-engine turboprop aircraft, all the way to heavy jets and ultra long range jets. The cost depends on the aircraft you choose among other factors such as overnight crew fees, Wi-Fi charges, de-icing charges, customised catering, ground transfers and more. Cost Of Private Planes In IndiaFor a small turboprop like the King Air C90 or Beechcraft Super King Air 200, prices start around ₹1.5 to ₹2 lakh per hour of flying time. They usually service smaller airports and distances and are relatively cost effective. Light jets like the Citation Mustang or Citation CJ2 could cost ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh per hour.Midsize jets (think Hawker 900XP or similar) run at ₹4 to ₹7 lakh per hour. A super midsize jet such as Challenger 350 could set you back by ₹4 to ₹7 lakh.Heavy jets like Bombardier Global or Gulfstream G550 can zoom you across continents with the best services possible but be ready to fork out ₹6 lakh to ₹12 lakh per hour, depending on the aircraft and amenities.The pinnacle of private jet luxury is a long range jet which can cover long-distance flights without a fuel stop. The most basic ride on a plane like Global 6000 can set you back by ₹8 lakh one hourThese hourly rates include aircraft rental, basic crew costs, and fuel, but extras can add up quickly like ground handling, overnight parking, airport charges, catering, and even luxury transfers to your destination. Distance Matters A short hop from Delhi to Jaipur might set you back around ₹5–7 lakh one-way, depending on jet size. A Mumbai–Goa getaway? Expect ₹6–10 lakh. And if you want to charter a heavy jet from Mumbai to London? That could cost upwards of ₹1.5 crore, plus taxes and fees.