The second edition of the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) 2014 held from April 15 to 17, ended on a high note, reflecting the growing trend for business aviation not just in China, but across Asia. With surging prospects, ABACE is here to stay. Endorsing this sentiment, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen said: “It’s clear that business aviation is growing in China and across Asia – most importantly, that’s good news for our industry, but it’s also good news for ABACE.”

“When we launched the first ABACE in 2012, we said we wanted the show to become not just an annual event, but an enduring event,” Bolen continued. “It’s clear that in the 25 short months since the first edition of ABACE, we’ve seen significant growth for the show at every level and ABACE is now firmly established as a must-attend event for the international business aviation community and for China’s aerospace community.”

The number of exhibitors at ABACE 2014 was 187, a 20 per cent jump from the 156 exhibitors in ABACE 2012. Of that number, Asian representation was quite high, up from 38 to 73 this year. The number of 3 x 3 metre booth space at ABACE 2014 was 333, up from 236 for the 2012 show. The number of aircraft on static display for ABACE 2014 was 38, a jump from 27. Importantly, for the first time, the display included piston engine airplanes, giving ABACE attendees access to the full spectrum of business aircraft, from pistons through to intercontinental jets as well as helicopters.

ABACE to Remain in Shanghai

ABACE 2015 will take place from April 14 to 16, 2015. Under an agreement signed between NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority during ABACE 2014, the event is scheduled to remain in Shanghai through at least 2021.

Gulfstream Bags Historic Orders

Gulfstream grabbed headlines with the announcement that Minsheng Financial Leasing Company, the large Chinese financial institute and private aircraft operator, placing an order for 60 Gulfstream business jets (40 firm orders and 20 options) of various sizes. The deal was made in the latter part of 2013, but the partnership was announced and celebrated at ABACE. The deal reportedly worth over $2.6 billion is said to be the biggest in the history of Gulfstream.

Like at other shows worldwide, Gulfstream at ABACE too created a record with the G-280. The super-midsize, long-range jet had already set 45 city-pair speed records before it set two more on the way to ABACE this year, making stops in Germany, Dubai and Hong Kong before flying to Shanghai.

“The G-280 flew 2,751 nautical miles from Friedrichshafen Airport in Germany to Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates at an average speed of Mach 0.84 for a total flight time of five hours and 49 minutes,” Gulfstream said. From Dubai, the G-280 made the 3,449-mile flight to Hong Kong International Airport with a time of seven hours and seven minutes at Mach 0.82.

Dassault Falcon Bets on Chinese Market

Dassault featured the top-of-the-line Falcon 7X, the long-range Falcon 900LX and the new Falcon 2000LX/S twinjets. Also on display was the Falcon 5X cabin experience that highlighted the impressive cabin dimensions of Dassault’s newest business jet.

“ABACE is a terrific event for Dassault Falcon Jet, a great opportunity for customers and future prospects to come out and see our full line of aircraft,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet.

“Chinese customers have a true appreciation of technology, elegant design and safety, which has helped build a solid reputation and a loyal customer base for the Falcon 7X in China,” continued Rosanvallon. “We’re also starting to see a China that is more environmentally aware and that is expected to generate further increased demand for Falcon aircraft. Dassault has been designing and building aircraft with low fuel consumption and carbon emission levels for over 30 years. In fact, Dassault builds the most environmentally-friendly jets on the planet.”

Bombar idier’s LearJet Debut in Asia

Canadian aerospace major Bombardier brought a LearJet 75 to Shanghai, making its debut in Asia. The light business jet is said to cost $13 million. Bombardier announced that China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing as the buyer of 10 Challenger 350 business jets, the order for which was announced earlier in December 2013.

“We are honoured that Minsheng Financial Leasing has placed their trust in our new Challenger 350 jet,” says Bombardier Business Aircraft’s President Eric Martel. “Bombardier’s best-selling Challenger aircraft family is key to leading business jet fleets around the world and we are delighted to get once again, such a strong endorsement for Bombardier products in China.”

ACJ319 Elegance Captures Imagination

Airbus announced a new version of the company’s ACJ-319 corporate jet called the AC-J319 Elegance. The ACJ-319 Elegance has a newly designed interior, giving customers more options when it comes to customising their aircraft. In addition, the new design allows for a smooth transition in the event that a customer wants to upgrade to a new cabin in the future.

The Elegance design offers different module choices for lounge, office, conference or dining needs. It has a bathroom and galley up front, and a bedroom with a bathroom in the back.

Beechcraft & Cesna Synergies

“As more customers in the region begin to research aircraft and match the products to their missions, we’re confident the long history of innovation from our companies and the proven quality of the Beechcraft and Cessna brands will make our aircraft popular choice,” said Kriya Shortt, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing. “There’s no other OEM at ABACE with a broader line of aircraft solutions for this growing general aviation marketplace, and we’re proudly showcasing our unique proposition to one of the most exciting aviation sectors in the world.”

Beechcraft Corporation, now part of the Textron, announced the sale of a Beechcraft King Air C-90GTx to the state-owned Beidahuang General Aviation Company of Harbin, China. The King Air C-90GTx aircraft will join a fleet of nearly 90 aircraft operated by the Beidahuang General Aviation Company.

CAAC grants certifica tion to Cesna

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has granted certification for Cessna’s Citation XLS+ clearing the way for deliveries in China later this year.

“Bringing the Cessna Citation XLS+ to China means introducing this market to the most successful business jet ever produced,” said Bill Harris, Vice President, Sales, Asia and Asia Pacific. “Business owners consistently have chosen the Citation XLS+ more than any other aircraft in the light midsize category for its unparalleled combination of comfort, ease of operation and range of mission capabilities.”CAAC certification is another step toward beginning operations at Cessna-AVIC Aircraft (Zhuhai) Co, Ltd. for final assembly and delivery of Citation XLS+ business jets to customers in China.

Cessna announced a landmark order for Caravan turboprop aircraft to be operated for tourism services in China, a key milestone in the company’s effort to increase its presence in China to support the growth of general and business aviation in the Asia Pacific region.The Reignwood Group has agreed to acquire 10 Cessna Grand Caravan EX Amphibian aircraft through the Cessna-AVIC Shijiazhuang facility to expand its aircraft services and operate tourism flights in the south-east part of China. In March 2014, CAAC granted approval for the Cessna Grand Caravan EX to operate on floats in China.

Embraer Bags Order for Lineage 1000

Brazilian manufacturer Embraer announced that it received another order for its Lineage 1000. The order is for a single aircraft, which is scheduled for delivery to an undisclosed Chinese customer in the first half of this year, according to Ernest Edwards, President of Embraer Executive Jets. The order builds on previous successes, including an order from Minsheng Financial Leasing for five Lineages.

Also, Hong Kong-based private aircraft charter and maintenance provider Metrojet has become the first authorised service centre for the Embraer Legacy 500 aircraft in the greater China region. The two companies signed an agreement that expands the scope of the parties’ previous authorised service agreement signed in 2011. Metrojet is already authorised to service several Embraer types, such as the Lineage 1000E, Legacy 650,and Legacy 600.

This agreement is further evidence of Embraer Executive Jets’ effort to have comprehensive support and services in place for the first Legacy 500 enters into service in 2014. Jackie Chan, the world renowned movie star and philanthropist, will take delivery of his new aircraft in 2015 and become the first Legacy 500 customer in China.

Der Jet to Double FBOs in China

Deer Jet, which owns four of the six Fixed Base Operatos (FBOs) currently in operation on the Chinese mainland, expects to at least double that number by year-end, Deer Jet Vice President, Peng Zhang has said.

UAS Expanding Services in China

Dubai-based UAS International Trip Support announced that it was enhancing its aircraft handling services to bridge a tripsupport gap between China and Africa. UAS already has a strong presence in China, handling 25 to 50 operations per day into and out of the country. It plans to open a regional office in China next year.

“We already have a big presence in China” said Mohammed Husary, UAS Co-Founder & Executive President. “Every day we handle 25 to 50 aircraft into and out of the country. Part of our growth plan is to have a regional headquarters in China by 2015, similar to those we have in Houston and now Johannesburg.” UAS’s plan to launch a headquarters in China, coupled with its extensive network in Africa, will position the company to better support the burgeoning number of flights between the two regions.

NetJets to Expand Presence in China

NetJets, the aviation business of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK/A), said the Chinese market could overtake its businesses in the US and Europe as the company prepares to start mainland operations this year.

The fractional-jet company, whose clients take a stake in a plane in exchange for flight hours, expects to clear final regulatory hurdles in China in June or July, Chief Executive Officer Jordan Hansell said. NetJets will start managing private planes before introducing the fractional model.

Growing Helicopter Market

The potential for growth of the helicopter industry in China is enormous. Last year the entire fleet (465 helicopters, 424 based in Mainland China) grew by 20 per cent and is expected to retain that level in 2014, according to the Asian Sky Group. The total number of civil helicopters is expected to touch 550 by end 2014.

Airbus Helicopters Public Debut in China

Airbus Helicopters made its public debut in China for the first time since the company formerly known as Eurocopter was renamed as part of a wider restructuring that has seen other parts of its EADS parent group channel the marketing power of the Airbus brand. Airbus airliners have sold well here in the People’s Republic, but then so have the “Eurocopter” rotorcraft, which still lay a strong claim to being the market leader in China.