Organisers of the second edition of Hainan Rendez-Vous, Asia’s first and only private aviation lifestyle exhibition, announced today that some 250 of the region’s business elites will be flown by private jet to their April 1-4 show in Hainan, a tropical island that is fast developing into China’s version of the French Riviera.

Showcasing the world’s finest private jets, Hainan Rendez-Vous 2011 provides an ideal communication platform for manufacturers and buyers of business aircraft.

It is the only Business-to-VIP-Customer aircraft exhibition in the whole of Asia, and the region’s only show where exhibiting private jet manufacturers actually fly in such a large number of show attendees from their city of origin and back.

In total the event, which also includes a yacht exhibit and luxury property and brands shows, is expected to draw some 8,000 high net worth individuals this year.

The growing list of billionaires in India is an enticing prospect for executive jet makers seeking to recover from a slump in demand caused by the financial crisis.

Prominent among exhibitors at the ongoing Aero India 2011 air show in Bangalore were manufacturers such as US-based Gulfstream and Brazil’s Embraer – both hoping to seduce corporate high-flyers with their luxury private planes.

The global private jet market had a hard landing in 2008-09, with jet prices plunging by up to 30 percent and actual flying time falling by an estimated 40 percent.

After years of waiting for China to lift heavy restrictions on airspace, wealthy travellers and aircraft manufacturers have reason to celebrate — the country’s skies are opening up to private flights.

The makers of helicopters and small business jets are predicting a major bump in sales — France’s Dassault Falcon just moved its Asia office from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, which it called the new “centre of gravity” for the market.

The private air travel industry “will be one of the fastest-growing sectors in the next 10 years”, Frank Lee, chairman of China Private Aviation Company, a consultancy offering aircraft acquisition and charter services, told AFP.

New Zealand websites are reporting the Jackson paid around $50 million to pick up a Gulfstream G550.

His new plane is able to fly non-stop from Australia to Los Angeles and will replace his older Gulfstream IV which had to make a fueling stop on the way because of its shorter range.

The G550 usually accommodates 12 to 16 passengers in leather seats and divans arranged in several distinct living areas.

Gulfstream Aerospace rolled out its new flagship business jet, the all-new Gulfstream G650, at company headquarters in Savannah on Tuesday.

Approximately 7,000 people gathered at the new G650 manufacturing building for the aircraft’s debut.

First announced in March 2008, the ultra-large-cabin, ultra-long-range G650 remains on schedule for customer deliveries in 2012.

A new concept in executive and luxury travel memberships is coming next month, which will open the doors to a fantasy world for super-rich seeking access to elite air travel.

Called Air Platinum Club, the concept offers its members the access to a wide selection of luxury travel options ranging from private jets to luxury watercrafts.

The fleet of private jets includes the Gulfstream GIV SP, two Bombardier Global XRS planes, the Falcon 2000 and Falcon 50.