Business jet makers eye rising demand

The world's top business aircraft makers are seeking to tap the soaring demand among Chinese for business jets by taking part in a major aviation event in Shanghai this week.

The manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing and Bombardier, will display about 30 planes, each costing more than 200 million yuan (US$32.3 million), at the three-day Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition. The event, which begins tomorrow, will be held at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Center at Hongqiao International Airport.

"More Chinese are buying business jets as the mainland market (for business aviation) has entered a rapid growth period," said George Lu, deputy general manager of the center.

French business jet producer Dassault Falcon said private Chinese companies have become major buyers of business jets.

Airbus will exhibit its new 19-seat ACJ318 business jet, said to have the largest cabin, with a separate bedroom, office and bathroom.

Last year, Shanghai's two airports handled 4,000 private jets. In 2011, the figure was 3,400, 33 percent of the total on the Chinese mainland.

The city plans to build a second business aviation base at Pudong International Airport to meet the demand, the Shanghai Airport Authority said.

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