"It's a springboard," says Bombardier senior vp for international sales Shawn Vick, "not only for further sales in Japan but throughout Asia."

He was talking here yesterday about type approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau of his company's flagship Global Express.

Vick also reminded his EBACE listeners that the Global remains the only aircraft in its class with a European JAA type certificate, status that allows its buyers wider flexibility in how they register their aircraft.

The Japanese ticket will have a strong bearing on sales of the Global for special military missions, Vick said.

Bombardier claimed a "commanding market presence" in Europe over the past five years, during which time it's sold approximately 125 business aircraft here.

"No business aircraft manufacturer is more committed to this market," Vick said.

The company has sold 11 new aircraft in Europe thus far this year, Vick reports, including three Globals: one each in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The Global Express "is an ideal springboard for derivative designs," Vick said, as Bombardier noted here that it already has a European customer for its new Global 5000, which like its big brother will have full JAA certification. The new aircraft will be able to travel from Geneva to Seattle non-stop at 0.85 Mach, Vick said.