A number of business aircraft manufacturers have boosted their presence at this year’s Australian International Airshow, acknowledging that the small but growing local market is a significant one in the region.
Embraer is displaying a Phenom 100 and 300, alongside the Legacy 500 and 650, which are both making theirdebut in Australia.
China, Australia, India and Indonesia are the manufacturer’s main markets in the Asia-Pacific, with 78 business jets operating in the region – 19 light, one medium and 58 large jets. Australia is a very stable market that has experienced a small increase in its fleet over the last few years, says Claudio Galdo Camelier, vice-president for sales and marketing, Asia-Pacific and Middle East.
The total business jet fleet in Australia comprises 190 aircraft, made up of 85 light, 48 midsize and 58 large-cabin models. Although Embraer currently has a fleet of just five business jets operating in Australia, comprising three light, one midsize and one large-cabin models, the manufacturer is hopeful of continued growth in the market.
The Australian Embraer fleet includes two Phenom 100s operated by China Southern West Australian Flying College for the airline’s ab initio pilot training at Perth’s Jandakot airport. The customer is very happy with the aircraft, says Camelier, with the manufacturer expecting an order for a third of the type from China Southern, says André Luis Viera de Sousa, director of customer support and services.
“We believe Australia will grow and we will have more aircraft here in coming years,” says Camelier. “Our expanded [aircraft] portfolio makes us more appealing,” he says, pointing in particular to the range and fuel performance of its aircraft. The large number of older midsize business jets in the country requiring replacement in the future is an opportunity for Embraer, particularly for the Legacy 500, he adds. The manufacturer also sees room for the Phenom 300 in Australia, where the type is currently not present.
The manufacturer has three authorised service centres in Australia, with Airflite supporting the Phenom 100 in Western Australia and Execujet providing supporting in Melbourne and Sydney for the Phenom 100 and Legacy aircraft. At the show, the manufacturer appointed Execujet an authorised service centre for the Legacy 500. Embraer also plans to expand its service coverage in the north, around Cairns, by the end of this year or early 2016.
Dassault also had a larger presence than normal, with a Falcon 7X, 900LX and 2000LXS on display. “It’s important to show our presence here,” says the manufacturer, identifying a lot of potential in the Australian market, where it has an installed base of 10 aircraft.
Olivier Villa, senior vice-president for civil aircraft, says the manufacturer is also expecting success in Australia for its new Falcon 8X. The aircraft, which made its first flight in February, would be capable of flying nonstop from Perth to Honolulu, for example.
Dassault has strong historical ties with Australia, says Villa, with its first aircraft entering the market in 1967. It also has long-term product support in the country through Hawker Pacific, which manages a spares inventory in Sydney and is an authorised service centre.
Gulfstream has brought a G280 and G650ER to the show. There are currently 15 Gulfstream aircraft – predominantly large-cabin types – operating in Australia, and Roger Sperry, regional senior vice-president, international sales, says Australia has been “pretty steady” for the company.
The manufacturer delivered its first G650ER into Australia late last year, and Sperry predicts the type “is going to spur this market on”, with its ability to operate nonstop between Australia and the USA. The manufacturer is also seeing interest in the new G500, which will fly later this year and enter service in 2018, and the G600, which will follow a year later.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
