Page 12 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2016 Online Magazine

COVER STORY

6000, and the fastest growing size category the largest number of aircraft added to its
was the ‘long range’ segment.” The top three fleet in 2015, an increase of 16 business jets.
OEMs in the Asia Pacific region by market Gulfsteam which already has more than 165
share are Bombardier, Gulfstream and aircraft present in Greater China (China,
Cessna, with 27 per cent, 23 per cent and 19 Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan), is confident
per cent of the fleet, respectively. Examining of retaining its leadership position in large
only fleet additions in 2015, Bombardier cabin business jets for quite some time to
saw the largest increase with 51 additional come. “We have experienced tremendous
aircraft (28 new and 23 pre-owned). Taken growth in Greater China, particularly on
together, the key territories of China, Hong the mainland, where we had 30 aircraft in
Kong, Australia and India represent over 2010 and now have more than 100, including
two-thirds of the region’s business jet fleet. the new G650ER that recently delivered
By the end of 2015, the Asia Pacific region into China,” says Scott Neal, senior vice
business jet fleet stood at 1,134 aircraft an president, Worldwide Sales & Marketing,
increase of 6.2 per cent over the prior year, Gulfstream. Gulfstream delivered the
with the region adding 140 aircraft – 66 new G650ER into China in March; the ultra-long-
and 74 pre-owned, though 74 aircraft left. range aircraft being delivered to Minsheng
China remains the largest market in the Asia Financial Leasing Co. Ltd. (MSFL). Demand
Pacific region with 300 business jets, though for the G650ER highlights the continued
its growth rate was just 3.8 per cent in 2015, need for long-range business jet travel in
reflecting a significant deceleration from China, say company officials. Growth in
previous years. After China, the next two this region is important for Gulfsteam,
largest markets in the Asia Pacific region as it accounts for more than half of the
are Australia with 184 aircraft (7 per cent Asia-Pacific fleet, making it the company’s The G500 flight-test program
continues to move ahead and the
growth in 2015) and India with 145 aircraft largest internationally. fifth test example PT5 will join the
(4 per cent growth in 2015). Hong Kong saw test fleet soon
12 ASIAN AIRLINES & AEROSPACE MAY/ JUNE 2016 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/AAA