B/CA Show News - NBAA 2007 Day 1 - (Page 76) CHINA OPENS UP N BA A 2007 China Is Opening Up to Business Aviation three (there is one in Macau). Cessna takes the prize for the most jets most recently delivered: last year it completed an order for six CJIs for flight training, and two XLSs for airways and airport inspection. “It took us 20 years to deliver nine Citations to China,” said Roger Whyte, Cessna’s svp of sales and marketing. “Then in 2006 we delivered eight.” There are currently around 20 business jets in China available for charter, and probably another 30 or so (including Bombardier CRJ derivatives) that are used solely by their owners, including government, airways checking and training aircraft. Beijing-based Deer Jet claims to operate half of the jets available for charter, either with its own fleet of four Hawker 800XPs, two Gulfstream GIVs, plus a managed G200. Deer Jet has about 2,000 customers; every year the Hawkers chalk up 800 hours in the air (each), while the GIV is not far behind with 700 hours. Deer Jet is planning for substantial growth over the next five years, with its revenues increasing 20% annually. Planned fleet additions include two more Hawkers, three Gulfstream G350s, and, in 2011, a Boeing Business Jet—which is already on firm order. —John Morris A319CJ customers include BBA Jet Management. Hawker Beechcraft has led a sudden spate of demand for business jets from China, Hong Kong and Macau that will more than double the fleet of aircraft available for charter. “It took us 20 years to deliver nine Citations to China Then in 2006 we delivered eight.” The company announced no fewer than 16 orders this month: eight for Macau-based Jet Asia (four Hawker 900XPs and four 750s), six for China-based Avion Pacific (two each of the Hawker 4000, 900XP and 750), and a Hawker 900XP and 850XP for Hainan Airlines’ Deer Jet. Airbus earlier this year announced the sale of five ACJ Airbus Corporate Jet family aircraft to Hong Kong companies (three to Sonangol and one each to BBA Jet Management and Hong Kong Airlines). When added to the five A318 Elites ordered some time ago by an undisclosed customer on the Chinese mainland, this brings its sales total for China to ten aircraft in just two years. Sonangol completed this year’s shopping spree with two Embraer Legacy 600s, bringing the Brazilian manufacturer’s China tally to Airbus has logged sales of at least ten widebody business jets in China in just two years. Deer Jet: No. 1 in China and Big Fleet on the Horizon China’s Deer Jet is the number one provider of jet charter services in China, with its modern fleet flying at a frenetic pace. However, that fleet currently stands at a very modest nine aircraft—and is bigger than the rest of the available Chinese charter fleet combined, says Deer Jet. The capacity for growth in the Chinese business jet market is clearly still untapped, but Deer Jet is planning for substantial growth over the next five years, with revenue increasing by 20% annually. Today the Deer Jet charter fleet includes four Hawker 800XPs, a Gulfstream GIV, plus a man76 aged G150 owned by another client. Deer Jet has about 2,000 customers; every year the Hawkers chalk up 800 hours in the air (each), while the GIV is not far behind with 700 hours. This year Deer Jet will add another GIV and a Hawker 850 to its fleet (although the latter may not be handed over until early 2008). In 2009, a Hawker 900 will be acquired. Deer Jet and Gulfstream are now in negotiations for three G350s to be delivered in 2010—a purchase order for the jets has been signed and a final contract is imminent. Then in 2011, Deer Jet will become China’s first BBJ operator, when its first BBJ1—now a firm order—arrives. Indeed, Deer Jet is already looking at pre-owned BBJs with the intention of boosting its very large cabin jet fleet as soon as possible. Deer Jet is also expanding beyond its charter roots to offer additional services such as fleet management, aircraft maintenance and interior finishing and FBO service. Three locations for a new FBO are now being assessed—Beijing, Shanghai and Shenshen. The company says that it hopes to establish FBO operations in all three places over time. —Robert Hewson September 25, 2007 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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