Asian Aerospace Expo and Congress 2009 opened on Sep. 8 in Hong Kong, attracting both industry giants, such as Airbus and Boeing, and Chinese home-made plane manufacturer to broaden their access to the emerging Asian markets, which feature as the engine of growth for the civil aviation industry.

The event will run from Sep. 8 to Sep. 10 at the AsiaWorld-Expo complex adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Asia, in particular China, is one of the world's fastest growing regions for air transportation, with growing demand for aircraft and related equipment and services, said John Tsang, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, at the opening ceremony.

He noted that with Hong Kong's important role as a premier international gateway to Chinese mainland, the expo offers the international industry the "unprecedented access" to the emerging market.

The event's unique positioning and emphasis on the Asia Pacific and the Chinese mainland will provide a business platform for the business aviation industry to meet the widely forecast groundswell of demand in Asia, particularly from China, said Richard Thiele, Head of Global Sales of Aerospace and Aviation at Reed Exhibitions.

Global aerospace leaders including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, CFM International, Goodrich, HAECO, HAESL and Lufthansa Technik are committed to large stands at the main exhibition hall in the 2009 event, with more than 10,000 people expected to visit the 2009 event, according to Reed Exhibitions, the event's organizer.

The Reed Exhibition also expects up to 3,000 Chinese visitors at the show to discuss product and service procurement, new international joint ventures and supplier relationships.

As Asia becomes an increasingly important market for sales and private charter, business aviation takes center stage at the expo. The industry's key OEMs showcase a total of sixteen aircraft, including Bombardier, Cessna, Embraer as well as Gulfstream. Airbus displays an A318 elite, the newest and most affordable member of the modern Airbus corporate jet family, at the Asian Aerospace for the first time.

A mockup of China's first home-made jumbo jet C919 also made its international debut outside the Chinese mainland.

There will also be a number of integrated trade shows concurrently held during the AsiaWorld-Expo at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). They will cover more of the supply chain including engine manufactures, interior designers and suppliers of parts and components. Industry forums will also be held alongside the show.

The Asian Aerospace, held every other year in Singapore but moved to Hong Kong since 2007, will also be held in Hong Kong in 2011, due to the city's location in the heart of Asia and its unique position as a gateway and springboard to the Chinese mainland market.