Alexandre Rocha
São Paulo – Brazil is the second largest market in the world for executive aviation, losing only to the United States, according to information supplied to ANBA by Adalberto Febeliano, executive vice-president of the Brazilian General Aviation Association (Abag), the organization to promote the second edition of the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (Labace), completely turned to the sector, between April 15 and 17 in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil.
According to Febeliano, around 1,400 executive aircraft, between jets, turboprop airplanes, and helicopters fly in Brazil today. It is a market that moves around US$ 300 million annually, in aircraft sales alone, and has been rising by an average of 5% a year.
The executive stressed, however, that the market does not grow constantly. "It is a market closely connected to economic development," he explained. As the Brazilian economy was stagnant in 2003, the same took place in the executive aviation market. However, Febeliano stated that Latin America as a whole is a great consumer in the sector.
"From Mexico down, including the Caribbean, there are more registered executive aircraft than there are in Western Europe," he stated, adding that Mexico appears in third in the list of largest world markets in the sector, followed by Canada and France.
"The reason is that many Latin American countries are large. It is essential for a company that has business throughout Brazil, for example, to have an aeroplane," stated Febeliano, pointing out that Argentina and Venezuela are also important markets, as is Chile, which, he stated, has been growing fast.
Exhibitors
It is especially to take advantage of this potential that Labace is going to include over 100 exhibitors, against 83 last year. Although it is an event turned to Latin America, 80% of the companies to exhibit have other origins, mainly North America and Europe.
"Europe and the United States are the main suppliers of aeronautic equipment," stated the executive. The United States National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is also participating in the fair organization.
Among the exhibitors will be – apart from aircraft makers like Embraer (Brazil), Bombardier (Canada), Dassault (France), Raytheon (USA), Cessna (a US company represented by Brazilian airline TAM), and Gulfstream (US) -, service suppliers connected to the sector, component suppliers, such as engine producers Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls Royce, fuel distributors (BR, Esso, and Shell), and charter companies, among others.
The event will take place at Transamérica Expo Center – where there will be technical talks and where the exhibitor stands will be located – and at Congonhas airport, where 20 aircraft will be exhibited on the ground, mostly jets. "There will be no flying demonstrations," informed Febeliano.
Visitors: open to the public
Around 3,500 visitors are expected, against the 2,800 who showed up in 2003, among them aviation professionals, like pilots and maintenance technicians, aircraft owners, charter company clients, and representatives from companies interested in purchasing executive aircraft.
Most of the visitors, according to Febeliano, will be from Latin America, but there should also be visitors from the Untied States, and Europe. There is no restriction to the participation of people from different parts of the world. "Everyone will be welcome," stated Febeliano.
Although it is an event completely turned to executive aviation, it will also be open to the public in general. Admittance tickets will cost around US$ 25,00, and will be valid for the three days of the exhibition, both at Transamérica and at Congonhas, and to the talks.
As aircraft are expensive, purchase decisions normally take a long time, so it is not expected that many deals will be closed at the fair. The event, according to Febeliano, will serve to increase contact, although some companies like to take advantage of events of the sort to announce business that has been concluded. "It is not an event in which a person goes by, sees an aircraft, finds it beautiful, and buys it," he declared.
The executive believes, however, that Labace may be used to provide a business impulse. He stated that after the fair last year, two large executive jets for intercontinental flights were sold to Brazilian companies, a Boeing BBJ and a Gulfstream 550. The price of these aircraft varies between US$ 40 million and US$ 45 million.
Embraer
Although most sector producers are of North American and European origin, Brazil will be represented by Embraer, which is going to exhibit a new version of their Legacy Executive jet.
The new model has had its fuel capacity increased, received aerodynamic improvement, has received a more powerful engine, increasing aircraft reach from 3,100 nautical miles (5,741 kilometres) to 3,250 nautical miles (6,019) kilometres, enough to fly from São Paulo to Aruba, in the Caribbean, or from New York to London, according to information provided by a company spokesperson.
The interior of the aircraft has also been modified, being newly designed, having a larger bathroom and kitchen installed, and receiving the option of installation of a second lavatory.
Contacts
Brazilian General Aviation Association (Abag)
Tel: (+5511) 5032-2727
www.abag.org.br
Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (Labace)
www.labace.org
