CAAC Administrator Li to Join Deputy Secretary Porcari in Opening of ABACE2012

Feb. 28, 2012

Washington, DC, February 27, 2012 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that the Administrator of the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), Mr. Li Jiaxiang, will be a featured speaker at the Opening General Session of the upcoming Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE2012), to be held next month in Shanghai.

In a February 22 letter to NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen confirming his plan for ABACE 2012, Administrator Li wrote "As you are aware...business aviation has huge potential in China." CAAC Deputy Administrator, Mr. Xia Xinghua, will accompany Administrator Li to the conference.

"NBAA is deeply honored that Administrator Li and Deputy Administrator Xia will provide their leadership to ABACE2012," Bolen said. "To have these important officials playing leadership roles at the conference clearly demonstrates their support for business aviation."

Bolen said Administrator Li joining U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari at ABACE is a significant event for our industry. "The support shown from these senior government leaders from the U.S. and China will serve as a catalyst for the industry in China and across Asia. We look forward to hearing their visions for the future."

ABACE2012 will take place March 27-29, 2012 at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Held at the new Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre, the event will give Attendees access to a sold-out Exhibit floor with over 100 booths showcasing products and services, a nearly sold out display of 28 business aircraft on the airport, and a host of aircraft financiers, service providers, legal specialists and more. View the ABACE2012 Exhibit floor.

Education sessions to be held throughout ABACE2012 will provide information on purchasing, operating and maintaining a business aircraft. View the ABACE2012 education session schedule.

Additionally, a special gala event will feature distinguished guests including Steve Forbes, Forbes Media Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine.Learn more about the gala event.

NBAA reminds ABACE participants that those traveling to Shanghai from outside China to attend ABACE2012 will need a visa to enter the country, and some Attendees will be required by the Chinese Consulate in their home countries to have a visa invitation letter from a Chinese entity in order to obtain the required visa. The ABACE website has guidance, resources and contact information to ensure that Attendees have all of the paperwork necessary to apply for a visa to enter the country, and NBAA is facilitating the visa-letter process for ABACE Attendees. Review the ABACE2012 visa information.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.