Fresh off the heels of what Bombardier Business Aircraft regional vice president for Greater China Michael Han described as “a great year” in the country, the airframer is confident that private aviation will build on 2016’s success and continue to grow. The Canada-based company, which claims the largest installed business jet fleet in the Asia Pacific region, last year exceeded its stated guidance, delivering 163 aircraft worldwide, more than the 150 it projected earlier that year.

Approximately 280 Bombardier business jets are based in the region, including more than 120 aircraft in China alone. It forecasts deliveries of more than 700 of its jets in Asia over the next decade, and Han expects the business aircraft market to improve even further. “Starting from the second half of 2015, in terms of sales, we have already started our way to recovery,” he said.

Han noted the preference in the region for medium-to-large widebody business aircraft and highlighted the company’s newest jet under development, the Global 7000, which currently has two flight-test vehicles flying in the program, which is proceeding smoothly. “In fact, the Global 7000 recently reached Mach 0.995, making it the largest business jet to fly so close to the sound barrier,” he said. “This is very impressive.” According to Han, the four-zone twinjet is expected to enter service in the second half of 2018, and the company has already received purchase agreements for the new Global from Chinese customers.

Support for the Long Haul

“Our exceptional service doesn’t stop once the sale is completed,” Han said on Monday at ABACE 2017. “Another way we have of ensuring that we answer the customer’s needs is by focusing on customer service and support.”

To that end, Bombardier last week officially inaugurated its first service center in Tianjin, China, adding to the company’s network of nearly 100 locations around the world. Tianjin Aviation Services, a joint-venture with local governmental agency Tianjin Airport Economic Area, represents a “significant” investment on the part of the company and its partners, and the culmination of several years of planning, according to Lanny Schindelmeiser, the facility’s general manager.

The Beijing-area facility received its CAAC authorization on March 15. With a staff of 30, the location can provide tip-to-tail support, including engines, airframe and interiors, as well as base and line maintenance. Schindelmeiser noted that the facility is authorized to perform up to 96-month inspections on Challenger series jets and up 120-month inspections on Globals, and is currently engaged in its first inspection, a 60-month check on a Global 6000.

“We are proud to bring our expertise closer to our customers’ bases of operation and to ensure faster access to top-quality services, and to always provide them with an exceptional experience,” he concluded.