Altitudes Europe #40

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XP Flash-Jet Expo-AE40_XP Flash-Jet Expo-AE40 30/09/11 10:28 Page50

FLASH-JET EXPO

JET EXPO 2011

GAINING GLOBAL SIGNIFICANCE Held for the first time at Moscow’s busiest business aviation terminal Vnukovo-3, Jet Expo has confirmed its great importance for the region, set new records, and attracted top level executives from around the world. Despite recurring economic instability, prospective customers kept the static display busy while B2B activity didn’t stop for a moment. BY Ivan Veretennikov PHOTOS DMITRY ORLOV, JET EXPO

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his year’s Jet Expo, and the sixth annual business aviation exhibition in Russia, opened doors on 14 September at its new venue – Vnukovo-3, Moscow’s busiest business aviation terminal and one of the busiest airports in the world for business aircraft flights. The change of format came as a welcome relief to returning participants: until now the exhibit hall had been located an hour’s drive away from the static display, and with the unpredictable traffic the trip usually lasted a lot longer. From the first minutes of the opening ceremony it was apparent that the show changed where it matters, becoming a truly significant event for the industry. Located only 100 metres away from the main entrance to Vnukovo3, where premium-class automobiles were busy picking up and dropping off HNWI travellers, the hangar that housed the exhibit halls was finally within reach for the end customer. In a region where the flyer is usually also the decision maker this means a whole lot. The ever-busy static display during the three days of the exhibition was a testament in itself, while the service side of the industry was kept busy by accompanying personnel, including PA’s, managers of flight departments, and other indispen-

50 I ALTITUDESEUROPE

sable professionals who make the world of business aviation turn. Key industry figures, such as Francois Chazelle of Airbus, Christophe Degoumois of Bombardier, David Glassner of Cessna, Gilles Gautier of Dassault Falcon, Ernest Edwards of Embraer, Larry Flynn of Gulfstream, Sean McGeough of Hawker Beechcraft, Georgiy Sharov, Chairman of the Board of Vnukovo-3, and Alexander Evdokimov, President of Jet Group, added to the international scope of the exhibition, while two Formula 1 stars, the world-famous Ralph Schumacher and the only Russian Lotus Renault pilot Vitaly Petrov polished the impression with a touch of high-speed celebrity glamour. The static display was rich with an impressive 28 aircraft (compared to 22 of last year). The top end in cabin size was divided between the Comlux Airbus ACJ318 and Embraer Lineage 1000, both treating prospective buyers to spacious layouts, separate zones, and luscious outfitting. The ultra-long-range segment was handled by the luxurious performers from Bombardier, Dassault, and Gulfstream – the Global 6000, Falcon 7X, and G550 respectively. All three models traditionally garner great interest among buyers in this region – many are attracted by their nonstop flight distances connecting Moscow with far-flung destinations such as Sao Paulo, New York, or Tokyo. Hawker Beechcraft arguably stole the show in the super-midsize segment with its truly 21st Century all-composite Hawker 4000, although the competition represented by solid performers such as the Challenger 300 and the Cessna Citation X was in no way lacking attention. Turboprops were surprisingly abundant with an array of four models from different manufacturers – an interesting gathering for a market that has been slow to catch on to these sturdy and costeffective machines. The Cessna Grand Caravan, DAHER Socata TBM-850, Piaggio Avanti II, and Beechcraft King Air 350 may not have attracted


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