A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

A roster of leading aviation officials from Asia and the U.S. took the stage this morning for the opening session of ABACE 2014, welcoming attendees and exhibitors to what Shanghai Airport Authority president Li Derun called “the must-attend event” for the business aviation industry.


Highlighting the strong growth of business aviation in the Republic, Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) deputy administrator Wang Zhiqing said that China had 189 general aviation companies at the end of last year, a 41-percent increase over the previous year’s figure, while the fleet had grown by 23.4 percent, to 1,654 aircraft, with total general aviation flight time increasing 10 percent, to 569,000 hours.


However, after the past three years of rapid growth for general aviation in China, “momentum is slowing,” Wang noted, and he vowed CAAC will work to keep the industry expanding swiftly. “The essence of business aviation is fast and efficient transportation. It is not a luxury,” he said.


Also speaking at the session, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta noted that while general aviation in China is relatively young, it is “poised for tremendous growth.” He called for “complementary relationships and effective partnerships to ensure” the sector’s safe expansion.

Bizav’s Growth in China Main Focus of ABACE Opener

China had 189 general aviation firms at the end of last year, a 41-percent increase over 2012, while the fleet increased 23.4 percent to 1,654 aircraft.

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