Zhuhai is traditionally the venue of the Zhuhai Airshow, China’s largest aviation trade fair held every even-numbered year. Complementing this event, AERO Asia is organized in odd-numbered years and is focused mainly on general aviation. This year’s second edition hosted more than 300 exhibitors and attracted over 60,000 visitors.

China is currently strongly promoting the so-called low-altitude economy, which includes general aviation. The largest part of the exhibition was dedicated to eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft with electric propulsion. Most of these aircraft are still undergoing necessary testing and certification processes. The first passenger flights are expected to take place within one to two years, and experts agree that broader commercial deployment could follow in approximately five years.

A significant portion of the outdoor exhibition space was occupied by sport aircraft. Their use in China is more complicated compared to the Czech Republic, due to military control of the airspace (with flying practically limited to an altitude of around one kilometre), as well as the limited number of general aviation airports — which are required to be equipped with airspace control radars. Nevertheless, this segment offers interesting opportunities, whether in the supply of complete aircraft or individual components.

On the first day of the fair, a presentation of the Czech aviation sector was delivered by the Embassy’s Economic Diplomat Adam Kupka. He introduced the major strengths of the Czech industry and its ability, as one of the few countries in the world, to build an aircraft entirely “in-house,” from design, through components to the final product. His presentation focused on aircraft manufactured in the Czech Republic, their components, as well as radar technologies and pilot training. Although the fair primarily targeted general aviation, opportunities in commercial (“large”) aviation were also mentioned, including new passenger and cargo routes, aircraft maintenance, and more.

In addition to the already mentioned eVTOLs and sport aircraft, the fair was also attended by a significant number of drone manufacturers and companies offering products and services related to aviation in general. For Czech companies operating in the aviation sector and interested in the Chinese market, participating in AERO Asia or Zhuhai Airshow can undoubtedly be an important step toward gaining new clients and business partners.

For those interested in participating, please contact the Economic Section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing at: beijing.commerce@mzv.gov.cz.