China's business jet operators have taken the first steps to setting
up a formal organization much on the lines of NBAA.
Hosted by Raytheon Aircraft Company, China's operators agreed
on September 9 that an association is needed to work with government
agencies and China's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) to promote
business aviation, ensure access to airspace, and help draw up
rules and regulations for the industry.
At the meeting were Hainan Airlines' Deer Jet, Shandong's Rainbow
Jet, Shanghai Airlines' bizjet operation, and Broad Air Conditioning.
There are only 11 executive jets in mainland China available for
business charter, according to latest figures from the CAAC. These
include six Hawker 800XPs with Deer Jet, two Bombardier Challengers
with Shandong Airlines, an 800XP with Shanghai Airlines, and a
recently delivered Gulfstream IV with China National Business
Jet (China Jet), a subsidiary of the Air China airline group,
Broad Air Conditioning operates two Cessna Citations, and the
China Ocean Aviation Group flies two Canadair Corporate Jetliners.
Government agencies have a handful of business jets including
five Learjet 35A/36As and the five Corporate Jetliners delivered
to China United Airlines, while the CAAC, which has a few older
Citations, took delivery last year of the first Citation X in
China.
Gulfstream has made inroads with an order of three G200s from
Deer Jet, and Raytheon has booked 13 orders for its Premier I
and 11 sales for its Hawker Horizon.
There is no doubt the potential is there (China's 11 jets for
a population of 1.3 billion compares with 14,100 business aircraft
in the U.S. for just one fifth of the inhabitants). But it will
take a few years to realize, say experts in China.
China's charter operators have until now concentrated on flying
foreigners within its borders, competing on price with those in
surrounding countries. They must cultivate an indigenous demand
if they are to survive improved airline service, the experts say.
A relaxation of airspace rules earlier this year and recognition
that infrastructure must improve for business aviation will help
make executive jets more useful in the future.
Over time, demand will materialize. And that is why business jet
manufacturers continue to focus on China with a long-term view.
