AsBAA China Chapter Summer Networking Series Convenes in Tianjin, Charts Course for Industry Growth and Global Connectivity
In mid-June, the Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) China Chapter successfully hosted its Summer Networking Series in the historic port city of Tianjin. The event brought together over 130 industry professionals from across Greater China and the Asia-Pacific region for a dynamic exchange of insights and opportunities.
Rocky Zhang, Chairman of AsBAA Mainland China Chapter, presided over the summer conference. Jiang Peng, General Manager of Dassault Falcon Business Services Beijing and Director of Customer Service for China, delivered a presentation on the century-old heritage and technological evolution of Falcon business jets. He reaffirmed Dassault Falcon’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market, noting that the company currently operates 24 authorized maintenance centers worldwide, including three in mainland China and one in Hong Kong. These localized service networks, he emphasized, exemplify Dassault Aviation’s dedication to supporting Chinese customers with globally consistent service standards.
Sun Yu, General Manager of newly joined member DAHER Aviation, shared the company's strategic roadmap in China. By bridging domestic capabilities with international benchmarks and optimizing supply chain efficiency through global resources, DAHER Aviation aims to make tangible contributions to the high-quality advancement of China’s aviation sector.
Against the backdrop of rising international governmental and cross-border commercial exchanges, Rocky Zhang observed that representatives from business jet operators, charter brokers, and premium travel service providers all concurred on the steady and sustained growth trajectory of China’s business aviation market. Citing JetMaster’s data from January to May, he highlighted takeoff and landing volumes in Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai—3,174, 2,435, and 2,223 movements, respectively—each ranking among the top 15 Asia-Pacific cities. These statistics not only underscore the resilience of China’s economy and the deep integration of domestic enterprises into global supply chains, but also reinforce business aviation activity as a key barometer of urban economic vitality and international engagement. Notably, Beijing Daxing International Airport FBO set a new monthly record in May with 125 business jet movements, instilling renewed confidence across the sector.
The downstream long-tail effect of business aviation is increasingly propelling small and medium-sized private enterprises toward high-quality international service standards, while also attracting international aircraft financiers and air medical service providers to expand into Chinese and Southeast Asian markets. Representatives from V Luxury Memories, Metrojet Limited, MD ONBOARD, Global Jet Capital, and MedAire (part of International SOS Group) each delivered compelling presentations on their service offerings and regional market observations, offering attendees a rich tapestry of perspectives and forward-looking intelligence.
Alissa Li, Director of Customer Support for Airbus ACJ, elaborated on her team’s service ethos: leveraging Airbus’ extensive civil aviation support infrastructure to deliver solutions that combine global scale with dedicated depth. The objective, she stated, is to ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations worldwide while delivering a seamless ownership experience. Airbus ACJ has established dedicated service teams across key global regions—Beijing among them—underscoring the company’s strategic importance on and enduring commitment to the Chinese market.
A spirited Q&A session followed, during which a Malaysian delegate inquired about growth prospects for China’s business aviation market. Paul Desgrosseilliers, AsBAA Board of Directors and General Manager of ExecuJet Haite, responded with conviction: “In China, our aviation community is exceptionally vibrant. We see close collaboration between MRO providers and OEMs, robust sales and service activity, and—most importantly—OEMs remain consistently optimistic about the Chinese market. These three factors collectively point to enormous growth potential.”
The summer gathering attracted core players from the business jet OEM sector, with representatives from Bombardier, Textron Aviation, Bell Helicopter, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney, and Boeing Business Jets all in attendance. The strong turnout from leading manufacturers serves not only as a vote of confidence in China’s business aviation market but also as a clear signal that China has become an indispensable strategic market for global business jet manufacturers.
The event commenced with the AsBAA Members Golf Day, offering a platform for networking among domestic and international peers. The enthusiastic participation underscored the vibrancy and collaborative spirit of the AsBAA community.
This summer networking series was more than a dialogue among industry peers—it was a compelling testament to the vitality and promise of China’s business aviation sector. From the record-breaking performance at Beijing Daxing FBO to the steadfast optimism voiced by both domestic and international stakeholders, every detail resonated with a consistent narrative: as a barometer of urban internationalization and economic resilience, and as an essential enabler for entrepreneurs expanding their global reach, business aviation is entering a new phase of high-quality development in China—advancing in step with the nation’s broader "going global" vision.