Aviation firms seek European sales
Wichita Eagle, The, May, 2006
Europe is an important and growing market for the business aviation industry, second only to the United States.
That's why Wichita's Cessna Aircraft, Raytheon Aircraft and Bombardier Aerospace are exhibitors this week at the sixth annual European Business Aircraft Convention and Exhibition, or EBACE.
The show opens today in Geneva, Switzerland, and will showcase aviation products from around the world.
EBACE attracts "buyers from all over this part of the world," Pete Bunce, president and chief executive of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, said Tuesday from Geneva.
Last year's convention drew about 7,500 attendees. This year, 9,000 are expected to attend.
The growth is an "indication business aviation is picking up in Europe in a big way," said Bombardier Aerospace spokesman Leo Knaapen.
"Our sales are quite strong," Knaapen said. Bombardier captured 32 percent of the European market last year for new aircraft sales, he ...
