The expanding business aircraft market in the Asia Pacific region will be one of the key issues that will be debated at the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, which will be staged for the first time at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong from September 3 to 6.

Clive Richardson, senior v-p of organizer Reed Exhibitions Aerospace and Defence Group Asia, said, “The use of corporate aircraft as a business tool is just starting to take off in the Asia Pacific region, and the growing interest we see from individuals and corporations, and particularly increased interest from airlines in this sector, is confirmation that there is a wealth of opportunity for business aircraft manufacturers.”

Augustine Siew, director of flight operations for Asian Aerospace, added, “Our static display for business aircraft will be conveniently located at the Hong Kong Business Aircraft Centre, close to the exhibition site, and a number of slots have also been allocated at the international airport for companies wishing to organize customer demonstration flights.”

The challenges and opportunities for business aviation and other sectors in the industry will be discussed and debated during the three-day congress under the headers of air transport strategy, air transport operations and aerospace technology.

Special master classes will also be held alongside and will include, among others, tracks on business aviation, aircraft financing, maintenance and East-West technology partnerships. Some of the confirmed speakers for the business aviation master class include Chuck Woods, CEO of Jet Asia and chairman of the Asian Business Aviation Association (ABAA); Jason Liao, sales director North Asia, Hawker Beechcraft and deputy chairman of ABAA; Judith Moreton, managing director of Skyjet International; and Chris Buchholz, executive director and COO of Metrojet.