Sino Jet, which claims to be Asia’s largest and fastest-growing business jet operator, has entered into a partnership with the Jiangxi Airport VIP Service Company to build and manage the first fixed-base operator facility (FBO) at Nanchang Changbei International Airport. The grand opening of the FBO took place on September 24.
The investment forms part of Sino Jet’s expansion into mainland China ahead of an anticipated 20% year-on-year increase in business jet use in Jiangxi Province over the next three years.
Chris Wu, executive president of Sino Jet and Zhou Minsheng, general manager of Jiangxi Airport at the opening ceremony
Business jet movements in China exceeded 27,000 in 2019, with Nanchang Airport accounting for less than 1% of the total flights.
“Despite the strong demand for business aviation in Nanchang, growth is slowed by a lack of facilities when compared with other regional airports,” stated a spokesperson of Sino Jet. “Sino Jet’s investment stems from our confidence in the growth potential of Jiangxi Province as part of China’s growing business aviation ecosystem.”
Frank De, president of Sino Jet giving a speech during the opening ceremony
According to the partners, demand for business aviation at Nanchang Airport has grown in parallel with Jiangxi Province’s economic expansion and an increase in international trade. For example, Jiangxi Airport VIP Service Company reported that 20% of business aviation flights over the past three years at Nanchang Airport were taken by local passengers and first-time users of business aviation. Data from Sino Jet’s Flight Operations Centre mirrored this trend, reporting a surge in movements from 66 in 2019 to a (projected) 100+ in 2020.
“We believe that there is a great opportunity in the optimisation of China’s second-tier city aviation infrastructure. According to Asian Sky Infrastructure Report 2019, just 12 of China’s 250 airports have FBO facilities, indicating an extensive opportunity for improvement and development as the region works towards economic recovery,” added Sino Jet’s spokesperson. “Demand from Jiangxi has grown significantly and has huge future potential because there is a growing understanding of the benefits of business aviation. In addition, the government supports general aviation development, and recognises it is an enabler for economic development.”
Despite global economic challenges, according to the Review of China’s Aviation Industry Development and Market Outlook Forecast Report (2020-2026), China’s business aviation sector is the most likely global market to achieve growth in the next six years and is expected to expand to become a top-three global business jet market by 2026.
The ceremony marking Sino Jet’s partnership with Jiangxi Airport VIP Service Company
Under Sino Jet’s partnership with Jiangxi Airport VIP Service Company, the new FBO will be developed in an independent terminal building with exclusive jet parking facilities. Sino Jet will provide ground handling services, an advanced flight operating system, and a personalised customer service platform.
“With the appropriate investment, Nanchang can become a regional hub for business aviation in south-west China. With Sino Jet’s global resources, and highly experienced, international team, we can offer flexible business jet management solutions to the region’s growing community of businesses and high-net-worth individuals.” Sino Jet added.
