Business jets soar in region

The company’s latest market data reveal that Singapore saw the largest increase, at 131 per cent, with its fleet growing from 16 aircraft in 2002 to 37 in 2012. This was followed by Hong Kong with a 104-per-cent rise, and China with a 103-per-cent increase.
 There were 36 business aircraft in Thailand in 2002, with the number increasing 39 per cent to 50 10 years later.
 The number of business aircraft delivered to the Kingdom between 1992 and 2001 was 13. During the period 2002-2011, the number of deliveries rose to 14.
 US-based Beechcraft designs, builds and supports the versatile and globally renowned King Air turboprops, the piston-engine Baron and Bonanza, and the T-6 trainer and AT-6 light attack military aircraft. It offers products and services to individuals, businesses and governments worldwide.
 “The Asia-Pacific region continues to be a large growth market for business aviation, fuelled by some of the most exciting economies in the world,” said Ted Farid, Beechcraft’s vice president of sales for Asia-Pacific. “Business leaders and entrepreneurs here understand the importance of seeing their clients and operations on a regular basis, and having the flexibility of their own business aircraft helps make that possible.”
 
 Growing turboprop popularity
 About 58 per cent of the region’s business fleet are jets, and the remainder are turboprops. Data show turboprop popularity is growing: the number delivered to Asia-Pacific during 2008-2012 was 27 per cent higher than during the period 2003-2007.
 “Turboprops cost substantially less than a jet of the equivalent size and are more economical to operate – factors that have helped lead to an increase in demand for King Airs,” Farid said. “In this region of the world, great flexibility in remote areas is crucial and the King Air delivers, especially for special missions operations that require an aircraft capable of operating from short, unimproved runways.”
 Beechcraft’s King Air line of twin-engine turboprops began production in 1964 and is the bestselling business aircraft family in the world. This market leadership is underlined by the fact that between 2002 and 2011 around 69 per cent of all business turboprops delivered to Asia-Pacific were King Airs, he said.
 Of the current business turboprop fleet across the region, King Airs hold a dominant 64-per-cent market share, he added.