Bombardier’s unveiling of the Global 7000 mock-up has generated strong traffic flows through the exhibit. The thrust of the marketing campaign is more quality of lifestyle than pure business use.

With demand softening for narrowbody VIP aircraft, Boeing Business Jets is focusing on the market for very large VVIP and head-of-state transports. “The emphasis for us right now is the widebodies,” says BBJ president Capt. Steve Taylor. Boeing has sold “a remarkable” 14 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, including one this year, and is close to closing another couple, he tells ShowNews.

Sabena Technics completion teams have begun the design and engineering phase to outfit its first BBJ, due to arrive at the company’s facility in Bordeaux in March 2015. “Sabena Technics has demonstrated that its in-house network of backshops, engineering office, cabin completion, maintenance and exterior paint make it a key player in the completion industry,” says Boeing Business Jets president Steve Taylor.

Sabena Technics completion teams have begun the design and engineering phase to outfit its first BBJ, due to arrive at the company’s facility in Bordeaux in March 2015. “Sabena Technics has demonstrated that its in-house network of backshops, engineering office, cabin completion, maintenance and exterior paint make it a key player in the completion industry,” says Boeing Business Jets president Steve Taylor.

Avfuel Corporation’s Booth 4634 features nine members of its Avfuel Branded FBO and Avfuel Contract Fuel networks: Avflight Belfast City at George Best Airport in Northern Ireland; Banyan Air Service at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Florida; Duncan Aviation at Lincoln, Nebraska, and Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan; Fargo Jet Center at Hector International Airport in Fargo, North Dakota; Rizon Jet, Avfuel’s latest preferred location, at London-Biggin Hill Airport, UK; the Sheltair network of FBOs in the U.S.; South Air at Akureyi Airport, Keflavik, Icel

Synthetic and enhanced vision, head-up guidance, the industry’s first touch-screen flight displays, and new flight deck features for retrofit or upgrades can all be seen here at Rockwell Collins (Booth 6129).

L-3 Platform Integration is “making significant progress” on the first two VIP 747-8s it’s outfitting, with the first scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2014, says Ken McAlpin, VIP/head-of-state programs VP for the Waco, Texas-based completion facility. “The newer technology and systems on the aircraft are allowing us to provide a better solution for our customers,” McAlpin says.

China’s TAECO Aircraft Engineering (Booth 1618) has announced the opening of a new showroom at its facilities in Xiamen, and has also recently completed construction of a static pull-test lab and commissioned a liquid print (water transfer technology) shop. Peter Murton, VP of TAECO’s commercial cabin group center, notes that the new capabilities are in addition to the existing cabinetry, upholstery and finish shops.