Asian Aerospace Expo and Congress 2009 opened on Tuesday in Hong Kong, attracting both industry giants, such as Airbus and Boeing, and Chinese home-made plane manufacturer to broaden their access to the emerging Asian markets, which feature as the engine of growth for the civil aviation industry.

The event will run from Tuesday to Thursday at the AsiaWorld- Expo complex adjacent to the Hong Kong International Airport.

Asia, in particular China, is one of the world's fastest growing regions for air transportation, with growing demand for aircraft and related equipment and services, said John Tsang, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, at the opening ceremony.

He noted that with Hong Kong's important role as a premier international gateway to Chinese mainland, the expo offers the international industry the "unprecedented access" to the emerging market.

The event's unique positioning and emphasis on the Asia Pacific and the Chinese mainland will provide a business platform for the business aviation industry to meet the widely forecast groundswell of demand in Asia, particularly from China, said Richard Thiele, Head of Global Sales of Aerospace and Aviation at Reed Exhibitions.

Global aerospace leaders including Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, CFM International, Goodrich, HAECO, HAESL and Lufthansa Technik are committed to large stands at the main exhibition hall in the 2009 event, with more than 10,000 people expected to visit the 2009 event, according to Reed Exhibitions, the event's organizer.

The Reed Exhibition also expects up to 3,000 Chinese visitors at the show to discuss product and service procurement, new international joint ventures and supplier relationships.