Meet first Indian to own Airbus helicopter worth Rs 100 crore, it’s not Mukesh Ambani, Ratan Tata, Gautam Adani

India is home to some billionaires who are also known and renowned for their extravagant possessions. Among their prized possessions, private jets and airbuses reign supreme, serving as essential modes of transportation for their travel needs and business engagements. But do you know, who was the first Indian to buy an Airbus helicopter worth Rs 100 crore?

B. Ravi Pillai became the first Indian to own an Airbus Helicopter worth Rs 100 crore. Hailing from Kollam in Kerala, Ravi Pillai is the founder and chairman of the RP Group, a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, UAE.

In June 2022, Ravi Pillai was making headlines as he bought a luxurious Airbus H145 helicopter for Rs 100 crore. 

This helicopter can comfortably accommodate two pilots and as many as seven passengers. Remarkably, it can take off and land from a height of 20,000 feet above sea level.

Interestingly, the helicopter is equipped with energy-absorbing seats that increase the safety quotient for the passengers. 

Ravi Pillai, 70, completed his MBA degree from Kochi University. He once borrowed a loan of Rs 1 lakh to kick-start his business and also repaid it as soon as his business venture began to yield profits. After pushing his business to remarkable growth, he then laid the foundation for his construction company.

In 1978, Ravi Pillai went to Saudi Arabia and started a construction business in the oil-rich Gulf nation. He named his construction company, Nasser S. Al Hajri Corporation (NSH).

In 2010, the Indian government honored Ravi Pillai with the esteemed Padma Shri award. Earlier, in 2008, he had been the proud recipient of the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman. Other than his notable achievements, he also holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from  Excelsior College in New York.

The DNA app is now available for download on the Google Play Store. Please download the app and share your feedback with us.