The 8th annual Jet Expo in Moscow wrapped up last weekend. This year’s show had more than 40 static aircraft displays and 100 exhibitor booths. The show took up 1.5 times the space of last year’s show, and Gulfstream, Bombardier, Cessna, and Boeing were just a few of the big names to show off their latest models of bizav aircraft.
Russian demand for business jets has grown exponentially in the last decade, which is keeping pace with their economic development as a BRIC country. A spokesperson for Gulfstream, one of the participants in this year’s Jet Expo, said they sold to their first Russian customer in 2002. Today, they have nearly 60 customer-operated Gulfstream jets in the country. The company continues to have a positive outlook for the future of business aviation in Russia, and they’ve stationed major inventory locations throughout Europe to better service their Russian customers.
Bombardier was also at this year’s show with three of their jets on display: the Challenger 300, Challenger 605, and the Global 6000. They hoped to capture some of the growing Russian market by highlighting the efficiency of their aircraft. They showed off the plush interior of their planes as a way to increase the productivity and comfort of the business traveler. Bombardier noted that they believe they have the diversity in aircraft to meet the needs of the Russian customer.
Universally, manufacturers are expecting Russia to continue to be a hot market for business jets. While Russia experienced a second quarter decline this year, it doesn’t seem to be affecting the business aviation industry. Russia lifted some of their hefty taxes and complicated import rules on small aircraft in 2012, further opening the market. These are all indications that next year’s Jet Expo will be even bigger and better.