Manufacturers chalked up a welcome string of orders during the three-day event, with the bulk of the activity for new business jet sales coming from the vibrant Chinese market.
Minsheng Financial Leasing topped the buyer leader board with a firm order for 13 Embraer Legacy 650s along with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 10 Dassault Falcon 7X and 10 Falcon 2000S.
The Legacy 650 deliveries are set to begin at the end of the year, and will continue until 2016.
Dassault is confident its MoU will be converted into firm orders shortly. "Our Chinese story began two years ago and the success we have had in the region has really taken us by surprise," said Dassault Falcon president John Rosenvallon at the show. "In 2011, China looks set to be our largest market, primarily driven by the country's entrepreneurs who have discovered the value of business aviation."
Hawker Beechcraft hit the jackpot at the show with a $50 million order for its retrofitted 800XPR business jet from membership and on-demand charter company XOJet. The order includes seven 800XPRs to be delivered this year, and options for an additional five aircraft to be handed over next year.
At the top end of the business aircraft spectrum, Airbus clinched an order from Austrian charter company Tyrolean Jet Services for an ACJ318. Scheduled delivery of the executive-configured airliner was not disclosed.
General aviation orders also made top billing at the show when Piper secured an order from US airline pilot training company Airline Transport Professionals for 10 Seminole piston twins and options for an additional 20. The Garmin G500-equipped advanced training aircraft are earmarked for delivery in 2012.
Source: Flight International
