Story ID: 603
China Leads Gulfstream Export Drive
By: Curt Epstein
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Word Count: 265
China’s newest charter operator–AllPoints Jet–ordered a pair of Gulfstream jets yesterday. The long-range G450 and G550 aircraft will be delivered in the first quarter of 2013 to the company’s base at Chengdu International Airport, from where AllPoints provides charter, management and maintenance.

On the first day of the 2012 ABACE show, Gulfstream also celebrated its latest deliveries in Greater China. Hong Kong-based Asia Jet accepted its third aircraft from the U.S. manufacturer, a second G200 in a 10-seat configuration that is to join the charter provider’s G300 in service next month. In mainland China, Nanshan Jet took delivery of its second G450. The charter and management provider, which operates out of Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzen, has a G550 and another G450 on order to be delivered in the fourth quarter of this year and the second quarter of 2013, respectively.

Gulfstream claims 48 percent of the Asia Pacific market for large-cabin aircraft, and the OEM said the region currently represents 27 percent of its $17.9 billion delivery backlog, including an $810 million firm order by Chinese financial institution Minsheng Financial Leasing for 20 aircraft.

Since 2001, Gulfstream has experienced tremendous growth in the region. In 2001 Asia represented only one percent of its operational fleet. That number grew to 9 percent in 2011, and the total of Gulfstream aircraft in the region has quadrupled over the past six years. Presently, Gulfstream lists 175 customers in the Asia Pacific market, with 45 jets based in mainland China and another 37 in Hong Kong. “Asia, and particularly China, remains our leading export market,” said Gulfstream president Larry Flynn.