Visitors view models of Boeing's planes during the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, which is opened in Hong Kong, south China, on Sept. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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    HONG KONG, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007 opened in Hong Kong on Monday to embrace the top fast-growing Asia Pacific market, which is forecast by the world's top manufacturers to account for a third of aircraft orders over the next 20 years.

    The Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007 has celebrated its 14th presentation with the move of its venue from Singapore to Hong Kong for the first time.

    Clive Richardson, senior vice president Asia of Reed Exhibitions which organize the four-day exhibition, said, "This historical presentation of our flagship aerospace industry event as the world's largest dedicated civil aerospace event has been shaped to suit the business demands of the entire Asian region."

    The more than 25-year-old biennial event, being held at Asia World-Expo in Hong Kong from Sept. 3 to 6, has attracted around 500 exhibitors from more than 20 countries. The top 10 countries represented by visitor numbers include China, Singapore, India, Japan, the United States, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia.

    Both the Airbus and Boeing, both exhibitors at Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007, see the Asia Pacific market for aircraft demand growing strongly over the next 20 years, making it the second most important region behind the North American market.

    Boeing expects the Asia Pacific region to account for 29 percent of all new aircraft deliveries through 2026.

    Richardson noted the forecasts the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, which sees domestic traffic doubling every five years, and expects at least three Chinese airlines to be among the world's top 10 in passenger traffic and revenue rankings by 2020. Similar growth is also expected in India, which in 2003 had four main scheduled airlines and started this year with 14.

Visitors pass by the model of helicopter in the exhibiting area for AviChina Industry & Technology Company Limited during the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, which is opened in Hong Kong, south China, on Sept. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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People visit models of planes made in China during the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress, which is opened in Hong Kong, south China, on Sept. 3, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)
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    HKBAC opens new hangar to meet rapid growth of business aviation needs


    HONG KONG, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Business Aviation Center (HKBAC) Ltd. announced here Monday the opening of its brand new Hangar 2 at the ongoing 14th Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress.

    Present at the opening ceremony were Financial Secretary of Hong Kong John Tsang, Director-General of Hong Kong Civil Aviation Norman Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Airport Authority Stanley Hui and some other guests.

    Having over 3,800 square meters of floor space, the 100-million-HK dollar (about 12.8 million U.S. dollars) new hangaris large enough to accommodate an Airbus ACJ or a Boeing BBJ private jet.