Fifth Shanghai ABACE highlights enduring value of event, industry in Asia

As the third and final day concluded for the fifth edition of the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2016) in Shanghai, show organizers said ABACE has proven highly successful, by a number of measurements.

ABACE took place April 12 to 14, 2016 at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. The event is hosted in partnership with the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) and co-hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the Asian Business Aviation Association.

“This year’s ABACE met and exceeded expectations,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Equally important, it showed that the event, like the business aviation industry in the region, is growing and evolving in ways that are profound and inspiring.”

To illustrate his point, Bolen noted that:

The footprint for the show’s exhibit floor was the largest ever this year, and 40 percent of the 165 exhibiting companies were based in the region, making ABACE a truly Asian show. The show attracted attendees not just from China, but from more than 50 other countries, across Asia and beyond.

The ABACE static display, with 30 aircraft, was more diverse than ever, featuring the full spectrum of general aviation aircraft, including pistons (among them, for the first time, amphibious light-sport aircraft), turboprops (including the first-ever appearance of a taildragger utility aircraft), intercontinental jets and helicopters. For the first time, the display also featured an air-ambulance aircraft, highlighting how business aviation can provide assistance in times of need, such as humanitarian crises, or natural disasters.

As with previous editions of ABACE, this year’s show featured a host of education sessions, including those focused on operational best practices, market updates, international operations and helicopter operations.

An ABACE Career Program, including about 200 students from locally and regionally based colleges, introduced the students to careers in business aviation.

Bolen added that, while ABACE2016 underscored the event’s importance as the premier business aviation event in Asia, it also once again highlighted the show’s role in growing the industry in the region.

“ABACE has always been a critical venue for bringing together government leaders and industry stakeholders, and this year’s show demonstrated that value once again,” Bolen said.

For example, top national and international government officials served as key presenters at ABACE. The show’s Opening General Session, hosted by Shanghai Airport Authority President Jing Yiming, included remarks from Dr. Fang Liu, secretary general with the International Civil Aviation Organization; Jiang Chunshui, party secretary and deputy director general of the Eastern Regional Headquarters for the Civil Aviation Authority of China; Li Derun, chairman of the Shanghai Airport Authority; Axel Cruau, consul general of France, and Weldon Epp, counsel general of Canada.

“As we close the books on the fifth consecutive ABACE in Shanghai, it is clear that the industry is becoming ever more established in this region, which means it will only continue to become increasingly important in China, across the Asia-Pacific and around the world.

“NBAA thanks the exhibitors and attendees, and everyone who has been so supportive of the show, and of business aviation in Asia,” Bolen concluded.

ABACE2017 will take place from April 11 to 13, 2017.