CHINA IS TO GET its first Western-style executive air-charter service in a deal which will link Bombardier Aerospace, Global Aviation and China Southern Airlines.
Swiss-based Global Aviation is setting up a fixed-base operation (FBO) in Zhuhai using aircraft leased from Bombardier companies Canadair and Learjet. The site, the home of China Southern , is close to Hong Kong and in the heart of one of the fastest-growing regions of China.
Five aircraft are involved initially - two Learjet 31AERs, a Learjet 35A and 36A and a Canadair 601-3A-ER. A Learjet 55 is to be added later. The aircraft will be Swiss registered and crewed. The service starts later this month.
Global Aviation, which has been operating in Asia since 1988, with an FBO in Singapore, believes that there will be strong demand from companies seeking to move around China without falling foul of the country's creaking transport system. China Southern will be providing full support for the Global Aviation operation, including helping to overcome highly restrictive procedures now limiting private-aircraft operation in the country.
Maurice Amon, co-chairman at Global, says that if Zhuhai is a success, then it will set up a second FBO, probably in Beijing.
Bombardier Aerospace is establishing an office in Beijing to help support and promote the company's aircraft activities in China. Bombardier Aerospace president Robert Brown says that the move will also help the company explore items such as collaboration and co-production.
Source: Flight International
