Shanghai, China, August 9, 2005 -- The Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2005), a three-day event, opens today at Shanghai
New International Expo Center (SNIEC) and Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai, China. The exhibition brings together representatives of business aviation
institutions, industry specialists and relevant government officials from Asia and beyond to Shanghai from August 9 to 11 to jointly begin a new
chapter for Asian business aviation.
Business aviation, as a part of civil aviation, specially refers to the industry providing passenger transportation service to cover the distances
between business locations. Business aviation is by far the aviation service that keeps the best safety record. The potential for business aviation
in Asia, especially East Asia, is enormous. The population, economic activity and need for business aviation as a supplement for general civil
aviation is immense. But the Asian business aviation market is emergent and at the beginning of its evolution, so there are still many difficulties
in practical operation. ABACE2005 takes place against such a background. High-level officials from the General Administration of Civil Aviation of
China (CAAC), U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and International Business Aviation Council (IBAC), as well as some world-known business aviation
operators, will be in attendance at the exhibition.
ABACE2005 is aimed at promoting development of the Asian business aviation market and serves as an extensive exchange platform to share information
among business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly all
aspects of business aviation. As one of its focuses, ABACE2005 will educate the regulatory authorities in the region and expose Asian business
leaders to the benefits of business aviation, so successful in other parts of the world.
Business aircraft firms, avionics firms, handling organizations, fractional providers, charter/lease companies and previously titled aircraft
resellers display their wares. More than 30 of the most widely recognized companies participate in the indoor exhibit at the Shanghai New
International Exhibition Center. In addition, ABACE2005 will showcase exhibiting companies from around the world and display more than a dozen
aircraft in current production from several major business aircraft designers for direct questions and product comparisons (at Hongqiao Airport). The
static display of aircraft is one of the highlights of the event.
There are many opportunities and challenges facing business aviation in Asia. Business aircraft operators know that access to airports on a 24/7
basis -- as well as timely support services, including those of customs, immigration and quarantine -- are necessary for fully successful business
aviation operations worldwide. Implementing available modern technologies for communication, navigation and surveillance also is important to the
region's general aviation growth. At ABACE2005, attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with government officials and relevant
institutions about these and other priorities for the business aviation community.
Veteran business aviation experts will provide a series of informational sessions, covering such topics as the development of a safety culture for
business aviation, safety management systems, access to airspace/airport by business aviation operators, trends in business aviation and
international efforts in supporting business aviation.
ABACE2005 is hosted by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the world's leading advocate for business aviation. Edward Bolen, president
and CEO of NBAA, is present at ABACE2005 in person and presides over relevant meetings. Founded in 1947, NBAA, the most prestigious business aviation
association in the world, serves its approximately 7,000 Member Companies by promoting the aviation interests of organizations utilizing business
aircraft in the United States and worldwide. The association provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community,
including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. NBAA also hosts LABACE in Latin America and EBACE in
Europe.
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About the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
NBAA was founded in 1947 to promote the aviation interests of organizations utilizing business aircraft in the United States and worldwide. The
association provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the
world's largest civil aviation trade show. More detailed information about NBAA can be found at www.nbaa.org.
For ABACE media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Dan Hubbard
NBAA Vice President, Communications
Mobile: (001) 202-431-5970
E-mail: dhubbard@nbaa.org
Mr. John Jiang / Ms. Jenny Wang
Fleishman-Hillard (China) International Communications
Tel: (8621) 63500860 ext. 104
Fax: (8621) 63500861
Mobile: (86) 13918877344
E-mail: jiangj@fleishman.sh.cn / wangj@fleishman.sh.cn