9th March 2011 – Asian Aerospace 2011 opened at AsiaWorld Expo, Hong Kong, yesterday, 8th March, to drums and dancing lions. The lions led a 16-strong VIP tour through the exhibition hall, stopping off at many exhibitors in the main exhibition including COMAC, Cathay Pacific, HAECO, ACIC, Boeing, AVIC, MRJ, Airbus and China Eastern.

Reed Exhibitions Chairman and CEO Mike Rusbridge and The Hon John Tsang, JP, Financial Secretary, The Government of Hong Kong SAR, then led the party out to the aircraft static display at Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre, home to a record 22 business aircraft over the next three days. (Full list of VIPs below.)

Immediately after the ceremony, Hainan Airline Group of China made a buzz with the collective signing of MoU agreements with three manufacturers – Boeing, Gulfstream and Dassault. The agreement embraced five Gulfstream G450 and G550 aircraft, five Dassault 7Xs, plus 32 Boeing 787s and six 777 Freighters for HNA Group member Hong Kong Airlines. This was the second order of the day, following Boeing’s early announcement of five new 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft for Air China, flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China.

“The third Asian Aerospace show coincides with the centenary of powered flight in Hong Kong and we are delighted that the event continues to grow in strength as a powerful channel to do business in a focused environment,” Mike Rusbridge said. “Quite simply, business gets done here and we are pleased to be the premier show for the region where delegates can engage, learn and network on the whole spectrum of aerospace activity.”

“Over the next three days we are looking forward to welcoming some 11,000 trade visitors,” he added. The number of International visitors and first time visitors has increased over 2009 and 3,500 registrations so far have come from China. Some 2,000 from China have pre-registered. Of these, over 1,200 Chinese delegates are representing airlines which operate 90% of the nation’s fleet.

Mirroring the successful format of the previous two shows, in 2007 and 2009, this year’s Asian Aerospace and Expo combines an international exhibition, four integrated industry conferences (the airline leaders Congress, APATS 2011, Asian Business Aviation and Air Freight Asia 2011) plus a static aircraft display of 22 business aircraft on show at the Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre. Tomorrow, March 9, at lunchtime, will be the debut of Aviation Awards Asia, applauding the achievements of Asian industry leaders.

Mike Rusbridge, Chairman and CEO, Reed Exhibitions and Paul Beh, President, Reed Exhibitions Asia Pacific were joined by the following VIPs at the opening ceremony:
Mr John Tsang, Financial Secretary, The Government of Hong Kong SAR
Mr Zhu Hongren, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Mr Wang Changshun, Vice Minister, CAAC
Mr Gao Yu Chen, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR
Mr Andrew H Y Wong, Permanent Secretary for Commercial and Economic Development Bureau (Commerce Industry & Tourism), The Government of Hong Kong SAR
Mr Tian Min, CFO, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China
Mr Geng Ruguang, Vice General Manager, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC)
Mr Norman Lo, Director General, Civil Aviationn Department (CAD)
Mr Stanley Hui, CEO, Hong Kong Airport Authority
Madame Wang Yinxiang, Secretary of Party Committee, China National Aviation Holding Company
Mr Andrew Herdman, Director-General, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)
Mr Andrew Davies, Associate Director-General IP, Invest HK
Mr Rubert Hogg, Director Sales and Marketing, Cathay Pacific Airways
Mr Mike Rusbridge, Chairman and CEO, Reed Exhibitions
Mr Paul Beh, President, Reed Exhibitions, Asia Pacific