NEWS| Mukesh Ambani gets Rs 245-crore 'flying office'

Business magnate Mukesh Ambani's new "flying office" worth nearly Rs 245 crore quietly arrived at Mumbai Airport early Friday.

The gleaming white-bodied aircraft with blue stripes, has been parked in Reliance's private hangar near Kalina, the southern end of the domestic airport.

The Airbus A-319 aircraft, described as a "flying palace" by airport officials in the know, has been given the registration number VT-IAH.



Kept under tight security, it is off bounds for all, except the concerned airport, security and Reliance personnel, the officials told IANS.

Among the top-class facilities the aircraft has been equipped with include a plush corporate office, a boardroom for holding top-level meetings in the sky, satellite communications, a master bedroom with an attached toilet, galleys and a lounge with a sky-bar.

All this has cost an estimated US $15 million (about Rs 60 crore), in addition to the aircraft cost.

The delivery of the aircraft was scheduled end-April 2007. However, aviation sources say, it was delayed mainly because of the lavish interiors that have been done.
But, it proved to be a blessing - it happily coincided with wife Nita's birthday on Thursday.

02/11/07 IANS/Sify