One month after the inaugural Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in Shanghai, China, Boeing Business Jets received its first-ever order from a Chinese customer. An undisclosed private individual based in Hong Kong signed a contract for a BBJ early last month, bringing the sales tally for the type to 98.

Boeing has not stated when the Hong Kong customer will receive the aircraft. A spokeswoman said it is not yet possible to say how strike action at Boeing factories might affect the BBJ delivery schedule.

Almost 11 percent of the 82 Boeing Business Jets in service today are based in the Asia-Pacific region. Most are operated by government flight departments, but there is one in service with Guam-based charter firm Share Plane. Boeing recently established a BBJ field service office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Private individuals now make up the largest group of BBJ customers, accounting for 39 percent of total orders. Governments have placed 38 percent of the orders, followed by corporate operators at 13 percent and charter firms at 10 percent.