JetExpo 2017, the annual business aviation show that opened at Moscow Vnukovo Airport, has considerably fewer business jets on display than in previous years. This reflects an 18 percent decline in the Russian business aviation traffic from 2014 to 2016, according to data from the Russian United Business Aviation Association (RUBAA).
For the first time in the recent history, there are no narrowbody bizliners at JetExpo. The Airbus ACJ319, Boeing Business Jet, Tupolev Tu-204-100A and Yakovlev Yak-42D/VIP were exhibited at previous events held at the Vnukovo-3 FBO. However, VIP versions of the Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B and Tupolev Tu-134 are at JetExpo 2017.
Traditional business jets on display at the show include the Gulfstream G280, G550 and G650ER; Bombardier Global 6000 and Challenger 650; Dassault Falcon 900LX and, for the first time in Russia, a Falcon 8X; and Embraer Phenom 300 and Legacy 450. The only business turboprop on display is a Pilatus PC-12NG.
At this morning’s JetExpo opening ceremony, Alexander Neradko, the head of Russian civil aviation authority Rosaviatsiya, said, “Should someone think of the business aviation as a luxury…he makes a mistake. Business aviation has become a part of everyday life and operational activity in this country.” He added that local operators of business jets have been demonstrating “a slight increase” in flight activity.