Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Las Vegas, NV, October 10, 2011 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen yesterday provided a first look at some of the companies officially committed to exhibit at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012) in Shanghai, from March 27 to 29, 2012. Bolen detailed the progress for the show alongside international business aviation leaders and representatives from the Shanghai Airport Authority.
“When we announced ABACE2012 last year, we did something I don’t think has ever been done before: We announced commitments [for participation in the show] from all the leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in our industry,” said Bolen. “I’m pleased to announce that 12 months later, those verbal commitments have translated into written agreements.”
In addition to manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault, Embraer and Hawker Beechcraft, other business aviation companies have signed Exhibitor agreements for ABACE2012, Bolen noted. Some of the officially committed Exhibitors include: Avfuel, Jet Aviation, JSSI, Lufthansa Technik, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, TAG, Universal Weather & Aviation, Honeywell and BBA. Asia-based product and service providers have also signed on, including Hong Kong Jet, Metrojet and Sino Jet Management.
Bolen also revealed how the program for ABACE2012 is taking shape, with nine education sessions scheduled that will feature business aviation leaders in Asia and international operators with extensive experience flying in the region.
“All of the hallmarks you see with an NBAA event will be fundamental to the success of ABACE2012,” said Bolen. “This event will provide the same tremendous opportunity for buyers and sellers to interact; the important educational component that allows for professional development and promoting best practices; and participation by high-ranking government officials.”
Representing Hongqiao International Airport, Shanghai Airport Authority Vice President Jing Yi Ming said that ABACE2102 has the support of the Shanghai municipal government and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
“We deeply value the cooperation between the Shanghai Airport Authority and NBAA,” said Jing. “Our cooperation on ABACE2012 will be just the initial step; I believe we will deepen our partnership in the future. ABACE2012 is a kind of seed we will plant in Shanghai, and in the future the seed will grow into a big tree. The city’s senior officials have told me that business aviation will be an important factor in the future of Shanghai’s economy.”
An important partner for NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority in hosting ABACE2012 is the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA). AsBAA Chairman Jean-Noel Robert agreed that while business aviation in China is in the seedling stage, it’s growing fast.
“I was invited to say a few words about ABACE2012 during this year’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2011),” said Robert. “The number of aircraft you had on static display in Geneva was the same as the total number of general aviation aircraft we had in Mainland China in 2010. Now, six months later, the number of aircraft in Mainland China has doubled, to about 140. That tells you just how fast business aviation is growing in this part of the world.”
“Business aviation is growing by leaps and bounds in Asia,” agreed Don Spruston, director general of the International Business Aviation Council. “Having ABACE2012 in Asia provides the mechanism to make sure we grow business aviation right. We have a lot of experience from around the world to make sure the infrastructure in Asia improves and a good rule structure is adopted.”
Bolen also announced that major industry trade publications intend to cover the event, including Aviation Week, Business & Commercial Aviation and Aviation International News. NBAA and Shanghai Airport Authority have also planned that in the future, there will be an entire convention center on Hongqiao International Airport.
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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