Gulfstream to open service centre in Beijing

Gulfstream Aerospace
announced that it has established a joint venture (JV) with Beijing Capital
Airlines (Deer Jet) and Grand China
Aviation Technik (GCAT) to operate a business jet service centre at Beijing Capital International
Airport.

Deer Jet is a subsidiary of
Hainan Airlines Group. Its fleet includes 26 Gulfstream aircraft. GCAT, another
Hainan subsidiary, offers aircraft repair,
maintenance and overhaul services. The new venture will operate under the name
Gulfstream Beijing.

“This is an historic
occasion for everyone involved, especially our customers,” said Mark Burns,
president, Gulfstream Product Support.  “We will be the first business jet
original equipment manufacturer to offer maintenance, repair and overhaul
services for its customers in China,
the fastest-growing market for business jets worldwide.  The convenience
factor alone of Gulfstream Beijing will help our Chinese customers lower their
maintenance costs and increase aircraft availability.”


Gulfstream Beijing, consisting
of a hangar, offices and back shops, will be overseen by veteran Gulfstream
product support executive Kay Ardalan, the site’s general manager.  The
facility will be staffed by Gulfstream employees, who will bring their
extensive product knowledge and skills to the venture, as well as Deer Jet
employees who have become increasingly well-versed in Gulfstream products.

The facility will serve Deer
Jet’s Gulfstream fleet, other Gulfstream aircraft and select non-Gulfstream
models.  The new venture is in the process of applying for a Civil
Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) Part 145 repair certificate, a
requirement for beginning service operations.

“When we induct the first
aircraft for maintenance, customers will be delighted to find the same
extraordinary level of service they have become accustomed to receiving from
Gulfstream factory service centers outside of China,” Burns said. “In the long
run, we see this expansion of our service capability as essential to
maintaining our No. 1 position in the Chinese market in terms of market share
and reputation.”

Gulfstream opened a sales
office in Beijing
on 7 December 2011. Nearly 50 percent of Gulfstream orders in the third quarter
of 2011 were from the Asia-Pacific region. The company announced a firm
order for 20 jets from Minsheng Leasing in October 2011.