China Leads Gulfstream Export Drive
China’s newest charter operator–AllPoints Jet–ordered a pair of Gulfstream jets today at Abace. The G450 and G550 will be delivered in the first quarter of 2013 to the company’s base at Chengdu International Airport, from where AllPoints provides charter, management and maintenance. Gulfstream also celebrated deliveries of a midsize G200 to Hong Kong-based Asia Jet and a G450 to Beijing-based Nanshan Jet at the show.
The aircraft manufacturer claims 48 percent of the Asia-Pacific market for large-cabin aircraft, noting that the region currently represents 27 percent of its $17.9 billion delivery backlog. This includes an $810 million firm order by Chinese financial institution Minsheng Financial Leasing for 20 aircraft.
Since 2001, Gulfstream has experienced tremendous growth in the region. In 2001 Asia represented only one percent of its operational fleet. That number grew to 9 percent in 2011, and the total of Gulfstream aircraft in the region has quadrupled over the past six years. Currently, Gulfstream lists 175 customers in the Asia-Pacific market, with 45 jets based in mainland China and another 37 in Hong Kong.
March 27, 2012, 3:56 PM
