Asian Business Aviation ‘11, the region’s number one trade event, is attracting strong attention from the industry’s leading manufacturers, with Gulfstream, Dassault and Cessna already signed up to exhibit a large number of aircraft at the show in Hong Kong during 8th-10th March 2011.
Demand for business aircraft in all categories has taken-off across Asia in recent years, with Asian Business Aviation ‘11 once again poised to be the “must attend” event for manufacturers strategically committed to the region for the long term.
Asian Business Aviation ‘11 will feature both indoor exhibition space and a large static aircraft display, with corporate chalets at the Hong Kong Business Aircraft Centre, as well as a major conference organised in co-operation with the Asian Business Aviation Association. New exhibition space right alongside the Static Aircraft Display is amongst the added attractions for airframe and engine manufacturers, aircraft interior designers, charter operators, maintenance companies, financiers and FBOs expected to be at the show. A total of 16 business aircraft were on display at Asian Business Aviation ‘09, including the latest models from Airbus, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream and Piaggio, making Asian Business Aviation the largest and the premier Business aviation event in Asia. The majority of these manufacturers also exhibited at Asian Business Aviation ‘10 in Macau in June.
“Asian economies are growing strongly, with China in particular becoming a powerhouse in reshaping global markets. The resulting demand for Business Aircraft from dynamic companies and entrepreneurs across the region contributed greatly to the strong support for Asian Business Aviation in 2009 & 2010 and we are now delighted to see the 2011 event shaping up to be even more successful, “said Richard Thiele, Head of Global Sales – Aerospace & Aviation, Reed Exhibitions.
"If you look at our numbers last year, the US market for Gulfstream accounted for 2%, while Asia grew 15%. As the economy grows here, numbers will grow right along with it,” said Roger Sperry, International Sales Vice President, Gulfstream Aerospace.
“The time for a strong business aviation market in China has arrived,” acknowledged John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet.
Asian Business Aviation ‘11 will take place alongside Asian Aerospace ‘11, which will once again be a strong platform to open up Chinese manufacturing capability to Western manufacturers. More than 500 exhibitors from 28 countries participated in 2009 and among the highlights was the international debut of Shanghai-based Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) new C919 airliner.
Business Aviation Growth in Asia/China
The focus of the international business aviation is rapidly shifting towards Asia. According to Bombardier, China is forecast to generate orders for 300 news business jets over the next 10 years, which equates to a 15% annual growth. The recent relaxation of Business Aircraft operating regulations/permits in China is proving to be a major contributor to the increased demand. Authorities there have reduced the time it takes to get a flight permit for a Chinese-registered business aircraft from six days to three hours. On the support side, more than 20,000sqm of new FBO facilities have been opened across Asia-Pacific over the past three years, with projects in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai dominating development. Another significant contributor to increased demand has been the growth in the number of High Net Worth Individuals across Asia-Pacific, where the total now exceeds those in Europe.