Mary Ellen Jones - Vice President, Marketing, Pratt & Whitney

Over the years, Aero India International Air Show has grown in size and content. What has been the level of participation of your company during the last seven air shows and especially this year?

India is a key market for Pratt & Whitney and we have been excited to support the Aero India International Air Show for several years. In the past (2005 - 2007), Pratt & Whitney has display Commercial and Military products from across our business.We have also maintained a customer chalet for entertaining and business meetings. In all, we have found this to be a very effective forum for engaging in business with our key Indian customers. That said, unfortunately due to budget restrictions and a difficult global economy, we were unable to attend this year's air show.

Which are the airlines in India that have their airliners powered by Pratt & Whitney aero-engines?

NACIL (A) and NACIL (I), Blue Dart Aviation Limited, Deccan Express Logistics, Flyington Freighters, IndiGo, Kingfisher all Fly Pratt & Whitney or International Aero Engines (IAE) products.

What is the assessment of your company of the market potential in India especially in the context of the global economic crisis?

Pratt & Whitney has had a significant presence in India for more than 70 years. As a leading producer of engines for commercial and military aircraft, the company sees India as a strong growth market for selling their products and services, as well as a technology partner in developing and producing them. Today, Pratt & Whitney has a large customer base in India and we continue to pursue additional opportunities to power civil aircraft in the country. Pratt & Whitney's small engine business, based in Canada, produces engines that power the ATR fleet at Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and NACIL . We are also pursuing opportunities with the Indian Air Force to power military aircraft.