The Asia aviation sector will continue to grow in influence in the coming years, Cathay Pacific Airways Chief Executive Tony Tyler said on Monday.

Speaking at the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007 which opened in Hong Kong, Tyler said, spurred by fast-rising demand in burgeoning markets such as the Chinese Mainland and India, the Asia aviation sector will continue to grow in influence in the coming years.

Asia's carriers are "the best carriers in the world", Tyler said, "but we are also on the way to becoming the biggest airlines in the world. The reason this is happening, apart from growth in the region generally, is the enormous growth in India and China. This is happening fast and it will continue to drive the increasingly important influence of Asian aviation."

Tyler outlined Cathay Pacific's strategy, including the integration of Dragonair with its extensive Chinese Mainland network and the equity relationship the airline now enjoys with Air China, for developing twin hubs in Hong Kong and Beijing. " Hubbing is what it's all about and Cathay Pacific is now truly a network carrier with over 50 percent of our passengers making connections through Hong Kong," Tyler said.

Tyler also pointed to three key challenges Asian carriers will face: the growing environmental debate, airspace congestion and ever-increasing competition.

Cathay Pacific Airways has been named the Official Carrier of Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress 2007, which kick started on Monday at AsiaWorld-Expo, which is alongside Hong Kong International Airport.

The four-day trade-only event has attracted more than 500 exhibiting companies from over 20 countries and regions, 12 national pavilions, 1,000 conference delegates, 100 speakers; with up to 10,000 trade visitors expected, and more than 200 media accredited.