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BUSINESS AVIATION WEATHERS THE STORM

Not every segment of aviation was hit as badly by the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 11 September as the airlines. Business Aviation is profiting from the cuts that have been made to the airlines' flight schedules and is currently showing its stronger side. It should emerge from the world economic downturn stronger than ever before. This was apparent at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention and exhibition held in New Orleans in December. In fact the NBAA - the most important trade fair in the world for Business Aviation - had been originally planned for the middle of September, but was postponed due to the terrorist attacks. Originally cancellation was on the cards, but then the NBAA leadership decided to reschedule the event in order to set an example.

Not all the exhibitors and visitors were able to reschedule their diaries, so that visitor and exhibitor numbers were significantly down compared with previous years. Nevertheless, no one travelling to New Orleans in December could have been disappointed, and the mood at the convention was unexpectedly positive.

Peter Edwards, new president of Bombardier Business Aircraft, said, "The decision to reschedule the NBAA was a good one. Our business continues to be strong." The Canadian conglomerate has an order backlog in its Aerospace division of $24.9 billion. Thanks to structural changes and a reduction in production costs - including some redundancies - Bombardier is very positive about the future. Edwards's optimism was vindicated at the NBAA by an order from the American fractional ownership company, Avolar, which signed a letter of intent for up to 57 Learjets of types 45 and 60.

This was not the only big order to be clinched at the NBAA. Avolar also announced that it was ordering up to 25 Beechjet 400A's from Raytheon Aircraft.

It was not in vain that the Brazilian manufacturer, Embraer, flew its brandnew Legacy business jet, a modified version of the EMB 145 regional jet which had achieved certification only a few days earlier, to New Orleans. It was duly rewarded by an order for 25 Legacys plus a further 50 options.

Fairchild Dornier also had reason to be pleased: unspecified customers ordered three of the Envoy 3 business jet version of the Dornier 328JET, worth $56 million.

"Demand remains strong. Speed, safety, flexibility and efficiency are critical in today's business environment. Business Aviation is the right tool for companies to fight recession," was the analysis of NBAA President, Jack Olcott.

John Rosanvallon, President of Dassault Falcon Jet, said in New Orleans that 11 September had not had any negative impact on his company. 2001 was a record year in which 130 orders came in for new Falcons. Dassault will keep production at the level planned before 11 September, not least because the company believes there are signs that 2002 will see a new economic upturn.

Airbus Industrie plans to profit from this situation also. At the NBAA convention Richard Goana, Airbus Vice President of Corporate Jetliners, announced that the company would be offering the A340-200 with immediate effect as the "World Ranger" executive jet with a range of 14,800km (8000nm). Goana sees a potential for two aircraft in this size category per year, which initially will replace older widebodies.

This year's NBAA has underlined the basic confidence of manufacturers and operators in Business Aviation. After all, no one launches a new aircraft programme or places orders unless they believe there is a real requirement.