Manufacturers decidedly more upbeat than at last year's show, but concerned at terrorism threat and rising fuel prices
Manufacturers at EBACE delivered upbeat messages on recent industry performance and prospects - several saying the first quarter had been the healthiest for business aviation since 9/11.
The mood was in marked contrast to EBACE last year, which was held just after the Iraq war, during the SARS outbreak and amid a gloomy US economy. Deliveries and orders were faltering.
But some in the industry are warning that global security concerns and rising fuel prices could still be a brake on growth.
Gulfstream president Bryan Moss, who last year suggested the situation had never been worse for business aviation, said there was "a better level of confidence" across the industry.
Bombardier vice-president for sales in Europe Bob Horner said the past nine months had seen an uplift in used and new aircraft sales and there were "grounds for cautious optimism".
Boeing Business Jets president Lee Monson echoed this, saying there had been a "dramatic upturn" in industry prospects over the previous eight months.
Dennis Helgeson, vice-president business and regional at Rockwell Collins, says that, after a dismal start to 2003, the year had finished strongly and the first quarter of 2004 had been "very good".
Helgeson added: "When you talk to manufacturers, suppliers and everybody else here, they are all seeing a more positive show than last year."
Source: Flight International
