NBAA Briefs Chinese Delegation on Business Aviation in the U.S.

September 12, 2011

China’s rapid economic growth is driving a need for business aviation to cover distances between major domestic locations and serve new markets – that was the message from a delegation of officials from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) at a recent briefing at NBAA.

A group of CAAC officials traveled to Washington to learn more about business aviation first-hand from NBAA, from background on the industry itself to policy and regulatory systems needed to support a robust business aviation community.

The delegation, led by CAAC Deputy Director Jin Junhao, engaged in a discussion with an NBAA team following presentations by NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen and NetJets Corporate Secretary Ron Brower.

The Chinese team sought expert insights on a number of business aviation related practices, including fractional ownership, government regulation, use of commercial airports, insurance and safety requirements as well as aviation policy formulation in the United States.

Civil aviation authorities in China estimate the nation will require thousands of additional aircraft in the coming years. The Chinese government recognizes the importance of business aviation its 12th Five-Year Plan for 2011-2015, in which it pledges to continually enhance China’s airspace management system.

The CAAC delegation was interested in answers to such questions as: how should business aviation, its practices and the associated regulations it necessitates, be introduced and applied in China? How does the Chinese government meet its needs while ensuring effective implementation of aviation regulations and safety standards?
Both China and the general aviation industry stand to benefit from the country’s rapid adoption of best practices in business aviation, and Chinese companies can be expected to be drawn to the business multiplier effects that use of a general aviation airplane for business brings to companies of all sizes.

This past June, NBAA solidified its commitment to supporting business aviation growth and promotion in China and across the Asian region by signing a five-year agreement with the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) guaranteeing the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) will be hosted at the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport.

Not only will the event put China at the center of global business aviation, it will help catalyze the Asian market, inform regulatory authorities and further introduce business leaders to the business aviation benefits.

ABACE 2012 occurs March 27-29, 2012, and is expected to draw as many as 6,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors.