October 1, 2012
The recent seventh annual Jet Expo aviation exhibition highlighted the growing interest in business aviation throughout Russia and across Eastern Europe, as well as the need to ease restrictions on aircraft operations in the region.
The event was held Sept. 27 to 29 at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport.
Alexander Evdokimov, general director of Jet Transfer Business Aviation and one of the organizers of Jet Expo, said approximately 100 companies exhibited at this year’s event. “That’s a bit of an increase from past years, but less than in 2008,” he said, adding that an expanded static display featured approximately 50 business aircraft from multiple international manufacturers.
“The Russian market is very different from the U.S. and Europe – we have to educate,” Evdokimov said. “We had several programs – seminars and briefings – about the various aircraft types, different uses for them, and how business aircraft can be useful to customers. People came out [to Jet Expo] to learn about and understand those benefits.”
Jet Expo also presented an opportunity for the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA) to update current members and new prospects about the group’s efforts to promote business aviation across Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. Formed in July 2009, RUBAA recently went through an organizational change to broaden its support among the international community.
Such efforts are appreciated, Evdokimov said, as Russian businesses and operators face difficulties in registering their aircraft in the country.
“Business aviation is not growing well [in Russia] in part because the government hasn’t offered very serious support,” he said. “Lots of foreign aircraft fly throughout the country, but Russian administration is complicated. We’ve asked the government to help us, and while they have made some efforts, they really haven’t been very successful yet.”
The 2013 edition of Jet Expo is set for Sept. 19 to 21.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.