Tue, Jul 19, 2011
Unlike Other Chinese Deals, No Coyness About Plans To Build
There
Financial analysts probably were not surprised when it was
learned Cirrus Aircraft was getting new Chinese owners, but the
announcement certainly startled the general aviation community. New
developments involving Cessna and Hawker Beechcraft suggest we'd
better get used to collaboration with the world's largest
nation.
Cessna Aircraft's Bob Stangerone recently confirmed exploratory
discussions are underway with AVIC, the Aviation Industry Corp. of
China, not about buying the company, but about collaborating on
production of a business jet for the Chinese domestic market. China
has already said it plans 50 new airports this decade as it rushes
to serve its booming economy with infrastructure long taken for
granted in the west, and opens airspace formerly reserved for
military use.
Stangerone tells the Wichita Eagle, "A significant
market for business jets in China is expected to emerge once the
challenges of the infrastructure are met."
The same request by AVIC for information on possible
collaborations also drew a response from Hawker Beechcraft, where
CEO Bill Boisture recently told the paper that he has been in
discussions about the potential of a venture for final assembly of
one of its airplanes for the emerging Chinese market, and that an
agreement could be announced by the end of this year.
Just how much room for growth exists in the general aviation
market in China is clear when looking at the relatively tiny
current fleet. Gulfstream claims the largest business jet fleet
from any manufacturer there, with 31 planes.
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