The Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition will return in 2012 after a three-year hiatus forced by the economic downturn. At a news conference at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Atlanta on Monday, NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) jointly announced the resurrection of the event. The first one was held in 2004 and the 2009 meeting was cancelled because of the economic turmoil that ensued in 2008. ABACE 2012 has been scheduled for Feb. 28 — March 1 at the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Center at Hongqiao Airport. Although business aviation in general has suffered in the last couple of years, Asia has been one of the bright spots.
NBAA President Ed Bolen said that in 2004 there were questions about the potential for business aviation in Asia but the early shows helped to raise awareness and the industry has grown in the region. “We are returning to Shanghai far ahead of where we started but with still much to accomplish,” Bolen said. “Nevertheless it is now clear to everyone that there is tremendous potential for business aviation in Asia.” Bolen said manufacturers are welcoming the return of the show.
