Striving Forward After the Pandemic: AsBAA re-unites with members and guests to raise enthusiasm for the BA/GA industry

            The AsBAA China chapter summer networking cocktail was successfully held in Beijing in the afternoon of August 6 and lasted well into the evening. Around 70 people, including several AsBAA Board of Directors, the Business Aviation Service Branch of the Civil Airports Association of China, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) China, the Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) team, and media representatives graced the event. These esteemed guests gathered in the post-pandemic era to raise enthusiasm for the development of general and business aviation in China.

As the “industry superconductor,” AsBAA will empower even in adversity.

            The event was hosted by Zhang Chuanyong (Rocky), Vice Chairman of AsBAA and head of the Mainland China Committee. In his speech, Zhang remarked, “In the post-pandemic period, all professions and trades within China are gradually returning to work and production. The association will try its best to create opportunities and search for a new engine to drive business to grow in this time of adversity. When global business travel was hit hard by the pandemic, it was business aviation that first extricated itself from the plight. This was a result of the characteristics of business jet safety and private business travel. On top of that, the exceptional operation and ground support of business jets freed charterers from concerns over health and safety. In China, charter flights are gradually being more widely recognized and accepted.”

            In his speech, Paul Desgrosseilliers, Vice President of Asian Business Association and General Manager of ExecuJetHaite, said, “I’m very glad to see all your happy faces. We have planned and organized this cocktail party within the short period of a week. We have travelled an unusual path for the past six months. This pandemic has forced us to reexamine the issues of safety and health from an industrial stand point. These past experiences will bring new opportunities for the development of our industry.”

Business aviation will conquer all obstacles and lead the charge in the post-pandemic period.

            Liu Liying, Customer Service Director of Dassault Falcon Asia Pacific, said in her speech, “I’m grateful to AsBAA for giving us this opportunity to gather during this unusual period, and after such a long time. This year has been full of challenges, but Dassault will conquer all obstacles and provide high quality and efficient customer service to you, as it always has in the past. At the same time, Dassault is following a prescribed order to complete the research and development of its new business aircraft, the Falcon 6X. The Falcon 6X will make its maiden flight in 2021 as scheduled, and move into active service in 2022.”

            In a friendly exchange at the cocktail, Liao Xuefeng (Jason), Chairman and CEO of China Business Aviation Group pointed out, “During the pandemic, the characteristics of business aviation were fully reflected as it took on an important mission. In the post-pandemic era, business aviation will recover rapidly, and the market demand for medium and small business aircraft especially will grow substantially. We’re very confident about the recovery and growth of the business aviation market.”