China's aviation business lifts off

China has become home to Asia's largest business-jet fleet after a period of rapid growth saw the Asia Pacific Fleet grow by an additional 26 jets in 2015. Despite the end of an annual 20% growth, a sustainable, long-term growth of 10% is expected in the future as enhanced foreign investment increases demand for aircraft. China is expected to become one of the four most active markets for long-range aircraft over the next decade, enhanced by the inclusion of general aviation in the country’s past two five-year plans, increasingly encouraging investment in the industry.

TAIPEI — In the mid-1980s, more than three decades after Mao Zedong’s communist revolution, David Dixon was one of the first capitalists allowed by a wary Beijing to fly over China in a business jet — with an escort.

“You had to have what was called a ‘navigator,”’ said Mr. Dixon, president of Jetcraft Asia in Hong Kong. “I don’t know who he worked for, and it was quite clear he didn’t know how to navigate anything, but he did know exactly where you were and if you were heading anywhere toward military installations.”

Three decades later, China has embraced business aviation and is home to Asia’s largest business-jet fleet. After an extended period of rapid growth, it is experiencing growing pains that should be temporary, provided it can further relax its heavy control of its skies and airports.

Data from the consultancy Asian Sky Group’s 2015 Asia Pacific Fleet Report shows that China, Hong Kong and Macau’s combined fleet saw a net addition of 26 jets last year, an increase of 6.2 percent, but just under half the net additions of 2014. A slowing of deliveries of new aircraft is partly due to the impact of President Xi Jinping’s austerity and anti-corruption campaigns.