Even though the 2008 National Business Aviation Association's
annual conference came to an end barely a month ago, that doesn't
mean that all BizAv-related events were done for the year. ANN was
pleased to aid the VLJ - Latin America and the Caribbean conference
in seeking dialogues, answers and discussion on matters concerning
VLJ operations in an impressive market segment. Operators and
interested customers just completed a gathering (a few hours ago)
in Miami intended to allow attendees to brainstorm ways to spur on
the very-light jet industry, and the growth of business aviation in
general, throughout Latin America.
The second annual Very Light Jets - Latin America and the
Caribbean conference ran through November 10-11, with the aim to
answer fundamental questions about the industry, and to address
expectations of segment growth in the region.
MIU Events -- organizers of this conference, as well as others
promoting aviation events and training seminars -- notes there are
more business jets and turboprops in Brazil than in any other
single country outside the United States and Canada. As a region,
Latin America and the Caribbean also operate more turboprops than
either Europe or Asia.
"With Very Light Jet (VLJ) manufacturers forecasting more than
60% of their sales outside the US, Latin America and the Caribbean
offers an enticing market," organizers note. "With a poor road
network and few railways, the Latin American region has long been a
place where private aircraft have been an essential tool for
business.
"As the Latin American economies gain momentum and the boom in
agriculture generates business in areas far removed from the big
industrial centers, demand for aircraft is growing at a phenomenal
pace. Conservative estimates predict the market for private jets in
the region will grow at 10%pa for the next five years. As the
existing fleet of twins and turboprops comes up for renewal or
replacement the VLJ is going to look increasingly attractive to
owner/operators and owner/pilots."
While it's fair to say the conference aims to promote the use of
VLJs throughout the region, organizers aren't casting a blind eye
towards the very real concerns about the emerging industry.
"Will the new VLJs now being delivered prove as sturdy and
reliable as turbo props and twins and will the VLJ offer the
operators the distances needed for this market?" MIU asks. "Will
the necessary aviation infrastructure be in place and will the OEMs
have a sufficiently expansive servicing capability for this
established but rugged market?"
It's the role of the conference to answer those questions... and
to provide a flight path through the various regulations, funding
options, FBO, MRO, operating costs and pilot training issues that
are likely to have a direct impact on the success of the VLJ in
this market.
Aero-News was the Senior Media Partner throughout the event, and
will be providing our readers, viewers and listeners access to the
results of that meeting -- starting right now -- less than 24 hours
later, with an overview of this promising gathering and the immense
amounts of information shared in but 48 hours in Miami. Stay tuned
for more information in the coming weeks.
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