NBAA: ABACE2018 Signals Blue Skies for Business Aviation, in Asia and Beyond

As the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) concluded its third and final day, organizers said that on several levels, the show underscored the promising future for business aviation in the Asian region.

ABACE2018 concluded its third and final day with underscoring the promising future for business aviation in the Asian region.

“This year’s ABACE, held under bright, clear skies and in new facilities, reflected the enthusiasm, growth and potential for business aviation, not just in China, but across Asia and beyond,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen.

“The construction that has taken place at the airport represents an investment in the industry’s future, the strong attendance demonstrates an increasing appreciation for business aviation, and the involvement of government officials in the show illustrates their commitment to the industry’s growth. Clearly, six years after our first ABACE at the Hongqiao International Airport in Shanghai, momentum is accelerating.” 

ABACE2018, which took place from April 17 to 19, was jointly hosted by the NBAA and the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA), and coordinated with the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA).

At the event, more than 175 exhibitors displayed across a show floor featuring a new, second hangar, and an exhibitor pavillion. Forty percent of the exhibitors were from Asian countries. On display at the airport were 30 aircraft, including intercontinental jets, turboprops, pistons, amphibian aircraft and helicopters. Standing aside the aircraft were 10 meeting chalets, which have become a popular feature of the event.  

The growing importance of the show and industry was readily evident in numerous other ways—for example:

•          A host of prominent speakers representing China’s aviation sector took part in the ABACE Opening General Session on April 17, including Captain Jiang Huai Yu, Deputy Party Secretary and Director General of the Eastern Regional Headquarters for the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC); Mr. Cai Jun, Deputy Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission; Mr. Wu Jianrong, SAA Chairman; Mr. Wang Jijie, SAA Vice President; and Jenny Lau, AsBAA chair. 

•          ABACE included participation from other prominent government leaders at the opening session, including Sean Stein, consul general of the United States in Shanghai; Axel Cruau, consul general of France in Shanghai; Weldon Epp, consul general of Canada in Shanghai; and John Bruns, Co-Chair, US-China Aviation Cooperation Program.

•          The CAAC’s Business Aviation Development Forum once again brought together top-level regional, national and international officials to discuss the continuing development of China's emerging business aviation industry and expansion of the country’s aviation infrastructure

•          As always, educational content was a central part of ABACE. Throughout the show, well-attended sessions, developed and presented by AsBAA, focused on significant topics, including aircraft cybersecurity, emerging international aircraft-emission mandates, airport access, and aircraft finance, insurance, maintenance and operations. Additionally, for the first time, NBAA coordinated with the Beijing Business Aviation Association to organize additional education sessions on the final day of ABACE.

•          Returning to the show this year was the ABACE Careers in Business Aviation Program. More than 200 students pursuing aviation careers attended the AsBAA-organized event to find out more about career paths and opportunities for graduates planning for careers in the industry, and to meet with business aviation leaders in Greater China and the Asia-Pacific.

•          More than 100 journalists attended and covered the show, representing media outlets from China, the broader Asian region and locations from elsewhere around the world.

“ABACE2018 represents a new flight level for the event,” Bolen continued. “We are looking forward to building on this year’s success as preparations begin for ABACE2019.”

ABACE2019 will take place from April 16-18, in Shanghai China.