Just as EBACE has proved to be a game-changer for Europe’s business aviation community over the past decade, the new ABACE show will provide a key catalyst for the long-awaited growth of the industry in Asia. This was the promise of NBAA president Ed Bolen when he confirmed new dates for the ABACE 2012 event to be held at Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport, home to China’s flagship executive aviation terminal.

Firming up plans for what will be the annual Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition, NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) have signed a “memo of cooperation” with the Shanghai Airport Authority (SAA) securing official Chinese government backing for the event.

“ABACE will be to Asia what EBACE is to Europe, a critical show to bring buyers and sellers together,” Bolen said. ABACE will become a fundamental event on the business aviation calendar.”

According to Bolen, the parties will work together for a minimum of five years, with potential extensions beyond, and the SAA would exclusively support ABACE. He did not rule out working with other for-profit organizations in China in the future.

In April the first edition of the Shanghai International Business Aviation Show (SIBAS) took place at Hongquiao Airport and attracted 6,000 attendees, 150 exhibitors and 35 aircraft. Organizer World Events Agency announced last week that it would be holding a second show in 2012 from April 11 to 13 at Shanghai International Hongqiao Airport.

AIN will be publishing its award-winning daily editions every day at ABACE in Shanghai.