Gulfstream aircraft represent the largest share of the large-cabin aircraft market in the Asia-Pacific region with nearly 50 per cent of all customers choosing Gulfstream. Our inservice fleet in the region as a whole more than tripled between 2008 and 2013, from 74 aircraft to more than 230. Nearly 130 of those are in Greater China. Long-range aircraft that can connect China with almost anywhere else in the world quickly and efficiently are the most popular in the region. This includes the G650, which can link Shanghai with Los Angeles at Mach 0.90 or New York at Mach 0.85; the G550, which can connect Hong Kong with London at Mach 0.85 or Milwaukee at Mach 0.80; and the G450, which can travel non-stop from Beijing to Dubai or Honolulu at Mach 0.80.

In terms of the China market, our aircraft are most popular with corporations, individuals and charter operators, in that order. We’ve found that for many large corporations, the founder/individual is still at the helm and making the decisions. As the market matures and the second- and third-tier customers are exposed to business aviation and its benefits, we will see a change in the types of customers we encounter.

Gulfstream has a considerable service presence in the Asia-Pacific region. We opened the first OEM-operated service centre in Beijing in November 2012. Since then, Gulfstream Beijing has grown to include more than 20 technicians, and continues to support Gulfstream operators on-site and across Greater China. In December 2013, the facility earned Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) approval for 1A through 6A inspections for the G550, G450 and G200. In addition to Gulfstream Beijing, one of the company’s three international service centres, Gulfstream operators can receive support at two Gulfstream service centres in the region – Jet Aviation Singapore and Jet Aviation Hong Kong. Later this year, Jet Aviation is expected to open a new maintenance hangar alongside its current maintenance and FBO operation in Singapore. The expanded facility will accommodate up to five of Gulfstream’s largest aircraft, the ultra-large-cabin G650.

Other company-authorized warranty facilities include Metrojet in Hong Kong; ExecuJet in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia; JAMCO in Sendai, Japan; and Air Works in Mumbai, India. Metrojet and Jet Aviation Hong Kong have US Federal Aviation Administration approval to perform base and line maintenance on Gulfstream’s flagship aircraft, the ultra-long-range, ultralarge-cabin G650. Other Gulfstream Product Support resources in the Asia-Pacific include seven FSRs in Hong Kong, China, Singapore and India. Additionally, Gulfstream has $3.5 million in parts and materials at its Beijing service centre and nearly $54 million in parts and services based at Jet Aviation Singapore and Metrojet. The prime location of Metrojet’s new parts distribution centre – the Airport Freight Forwarding Centre at Hong KongInternational Airport – enables much quicker order and delivery process time. The warehouse is also much larger than Metrojet’s previous storage facility. These parts contribute to the more than $1.4 billion in parts Gulfstream has strategically located around the world. Since business aviation is still a relatively new concept in China, we’ve focused our efforts on both education and awareness. We participate in various lifestyle events that promote business aviation, sometimes by co-hosting such events with our business partners here in China, to educate our customers on our brand and our products as well as the acquisition, ownership and operation of business aircraft.

Additionally, we have numerous Gulfstream personnel (contracts, sales support, product support, certification support) based in the region to make it easier for our customers to do business in China. We established a Hong Kong flight department staffed with five experienced pilots to work closely with customers and their local aircraft management companies to facilitate the transfer of Gulfstream aircraft into the region. They also assist in the transit of aircraft to and from the United States, provide entry-into-service flying for customers and support regional air shows. Also in Hong Kong, Gulfstream and FlightSafety International jointly operate a Learning Center for pilots and technicians. On-site is a level-D qualified fullflight simulator for the G550 and G450.