The inaugural Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition has created a key bridgehead for business aviation in the world’s most economically dynamic region. More than 2,100 visitors attended the event from August 9 through 11 in Shanghai, China. At the city’s modern convention center they found 54 exhibitors from all corners of the globe. Out at Hongqiao Airport, the following business jets were on display: Bombardier’s Global Express, Challenger 604, Challenger 300 and Learjet 45; the Cessna Citation Sovereign and CJ1; the Dassault Falcon 900EX; the Embraer Legacy; Gulfstream’s G200 and G550; and Raytheon’s Hawker 800XP and Premier I.

While the show was small compared with the much more established NBAA Convention and European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in the U.S. and Europe, respectively, most participants seemed convinced that it will not be the last. At least on the first day, there was a constant stream of visitors in the exhibit hall, and all seemed to be bona fide business aviation players, or prospective players.

The conference program saw well informed and candid discussion of the issues confronting the future of business aviation in Asia. Delegates drawn largely from China paid great attention to presentations, many of them feverishly taking notes.

NBAA, which organized ABACE, has yet to announce what format next year’s event will take and where it will be held. For more information, see www.abace.aero.