An Asian business aviation show last held in 2008 is being brought back to life in Shanghai - with plans to hold it in the first quarter every year.
The move could bring the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition into direct competition with Asian Aerospace, which is running its own successful business jet exhibit as part of the show this week, at the nearby Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre. In 2013 both events are likely be held within weeks of each other.
ABACE, which takes place between 28 February and 1 March 2012 at the Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre at Shanghai's Hongqiao airport, is being hosted by the National Business Aviation Association, which is behind the sector's biggest show, held in the USA in October. Its partner in the event will be the Asian Business Aviation Association.
Although ABACE was launched in Shanghai in 2005, attempts to establish it as an annual event proved difficult. The show moved to Hong Kong and, with attendances disappointing, it was abandoned in 2008 as the global economic downturn took effect.
However, with the Chinese and wider Asian economy rebounding faster than many expected and with business jet use gaining a wider acceptance in the region prospects for ABACE today look very different.
Kathleen Blouin, senior vice president for conventions at NBAA, says planning for the event has got off to a strong start. "The momentum that is building has surpassed even our highest expectations," she says.
- Flightglobal coverage at all the shows in 2010
Source: Flight Daily News
