Chinese interest in smaller aircraft is growing, says Dassault Falcon, noting strengthening sales of its Falcon 2000 aircraft in the country. In some cases, operators of large business jets, such as the 32-metric-ton (70,000 lb.) Falcon 7X, are interested in the Falcon 2000 because they realize that, while they require a second aircraft, they need it only for domestic and Asian regional flying, says Jean Michel Jacob, senior vice president for international sales at Dassault Falcon.

The Embraer/Avic joint company in Harbin, China, has begun assembling its first Legacy 650 business jet, on schedule for delivery late this year. Workers who will assemble Legacy 650s at Harbin are the same as those who formerly assembled ERJ-145 regional jetliners at the plant, says Guan Dongyuan, president of Embraer’s Chinese operation. The Legacy 650 is based on the ERJ-135, a shortened ERJ-145. Guan says that the program is on track. Capacity will be 20 a year, with a plan to ramp up to six aircraft delivered in 2015.

At least two sites for a potential business aviation airport for Beijing are being explored by China’s Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., according to its aviation consultant, London-based lawyer David Tang. The development, when and if it happens, should allow business aviation slots to be switched to airlines at the city’s main airport, Beijing Capital International.