Direct air links between Taiwan and China will create a boom in travel between the two points and prompt a surge in sales of both large and small aircraft, the president of Saab Aircraft says.
Martin Craigs said the possibility of a resumption of direct flights already had been recognised by airlines in Taiwan, which have been ordering both large and small aircraft in preparation for the anticipated rush of passengers travelling to the mainland.
He said Saab, which made two models of commuter aircraft - the 340 carrying between 30 and 40 passengers and the longer-range 2000 for 50 passengers - was launching a drive to sell aircraft in China with that prospect in mind.
Saab has sold more than 60 aircraft in the region, with many flying in Taiwan, but just four in operation in China.
The company recently announced that as a result of 'the prospects for further expansion of its business activities', it was moving Mr Craigs to Hong Kong to take over Saab's Asia-Pacific marketing and sales organisation.
'In the long term, China is the biggest market [for commuter aircraft sales],' Mr Craigs, who was previously with Saab in Hong Kong for several years, said.