Business & GA

Organisers of the annual Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) are mulling over proposals to rotate the show around the continent's three main regions.

At last week's event in Hong Kong, participants reported a high level of interest from customers, and emerging economic superpower China was at the forefront of discussions. Co-organisers National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) were pleased with the 50 exhibitors, 16 aircraft on static display and more than 300 delegates that ABACE attracted.

Timing was an issue, with some saying it did not make sense to hold the event a week after the Chinese New Year and a week before the Singapore air show. South-East Asia and India were also barely represented, partly because of a perception that organisers have paid undue attention to North-East Asia since the first show in 2004. That led to the suggestion that ABACE should be rotated among the three regions.

"There was hardly any effort to reach out and ask us for our suggestions," said a Singapore-based charter broker. "Almost everything related to ABACE, and even the AsBAA, is about North-East Asia. They should realise business aviation is thriving elsewhere in Asia as well."

Ed Bolen, president of the NBAA, reaffirmed his organisation's commitment to ABACE and said rotation could be considered. But he added: "We must consider the progress we have made. The Hong Kong business aviation centre is a fantastic venue, Hong Kong is a good venue, and we are finally making our mark. We must see if rotation will help the event progress even further."

Chuck Woods, chairman of the AsBAA, urged the community to support the organisation. "The AsBAA is for everyone, not just those from North-East Asia or a particular country. If we want to make progress, to become an effective voice and lobby for business aviation in Asia, everyone has to play a part."