Ricardo Nogueira voiced doubts about whether the conveniently located space at the old VASP hangars will be available next year and if there will be room for the growing event

August 14 to 16, São Paulo’s Congonhas International Airport was buzzing with a record number of 11,300 visitors and a total of 108 exhibitors as the three-day Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) generated business reportedly worth around $400 million (Rs 1,778.5 crore). Addressing the opening general session, Brazilian Minister of Defense Nelson Jobim was candid in his appraisal of the country’s disappointing aviation infrastructure which, he said, posed a serious hurdle to what is at present the fastest-growing economy in Latin America. “We need to rethink our aviation infrastructure. We need a sense of urgency,” he emphasised. Highlighting the market potential for business jets in Latin America, sponsor Associação Brasileira de Aviação Geral’s (ABAG) outgoing President Rui Thomaz de Aquino drew focus on the 308 aircraft delivered in the region last year. As for the region’s aging fleet, he noted that 52 per cent of executive jets and 66 per cent of helicopters are at least 15 years old. ABAG is on the look out for a new venue for the event as Aquino’s successor Ricardo Nogueira voiced doubts about whether the conveniently located space at the old VASP hangars will be available next year and if there will be room for the growing event. We are considering those options and reviewing the 2008 show to see what changes we might make in 2009, he added. The date for LABACE 2009 is yet to be finalised.