– China is key market for business jets

SHANGHAI, April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] Business Jets (BBJ) celebrated the completion of the first BBJ for China’s Nanshan Jet at a ceremony held today at the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in Shanghai.

“The Nanshan Group is an excellent example of a customer who understands the unique capabilities of the Boeing Business Jet and how this airplane addresses the needs of emerging Chinese global business,” said Capt. Steve Taylor, president, Boeing Business Jets. “As Nanshan expands their businesses into even more international markets, the BBJ’s size, range and comfort is the right tool to help their business grow.”

Before the ceremony, Taylor and Yu Bin, chairman of Nanshan Aviation Development Company, met on board a BBJ on display at the show with Gary Locke, U.S. Ambassador to China and former Washington State Governor.

“I flew on a Boeing Business Jet from Seattle to China 10 years ago when we celebrated 30 years of Boeing doing business in China,” said Gary Locke, US Ambassador to China.  “It’s like flying in a house. It’s so spacious and comfortable. I can’t imagine making that long of a trip in a smaller business jet.”

Nanshan Jet’s BBJ, a modified 737-700, is the first BBJ for a Chinese customer designed with a traditional business jet interior that includes a bedroom suite with a queen-size bed and seating for 28 passengers. Previous BBJs delivered to Chinese customers were designed specifically for use as charter airplanes in the region. The airplane was completed by Lufthansa Technik’s U.S. subsidiary, BizJet, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

BBJ is anticipating a big year in Asia in 2013. Three of seven BBJs scheduled to enter service this year with completed VIP interiors (including Nanshan Jet’s BBJ) are for customers in Asia. Four of six BBJs scheduled for “green” (unpainted and without interior) delivery to completion centers this year are for customers in Asia, including three Chinese customers.

A key advantage BBJ offers is longer range, which is very important to buyers in China due to the great distances from Asia to Europe and North America. For example, the BBJ has the capability to fly nonstop from Seattle to Shanghai, something its direct competitor cannot do.

Source and photos: Boeing