To service its growing Chinese market for business aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace announced that it would build and operate a new MRO facility in the Chinese city of Tianjin. The airplane manufacturer and the Tianjin Airport Economic Area signed a letter of agreement to proceed with the joint venture, which will result in the building of the maintenance and repair facility in 2016. It will be the first Bombardier-owned MRO facility for business aircraft in China and will be operated according to the same “processes and procedures” used in Bombardier’s worldwide Service Centre network, the company said.
The Tianjin facility will support the maintenance, repair, overhaul, and associated activities and services for all Bombardier business aircraft and, subject to certain conditions, on Bombardier commercial aircraft.
The Bombardier fleet of Learjet, Challenger and Global jets occupies a one-third share of the business jet market in Greater China. The company’s latest forecast for the aviation industry calls for a total of 2,420 business jet deliveries destined for China over the next twenty years. To date, Bombardier business aircraft based in the Greater China region have reached over 100 jets. Operators in China will take delivery of an additional 2,330 commercial aircraft in the 20- to 149-seat range, making it the second most important market for Bombardier aircraft after the United States.
“China is an important market and we are excited and honoured to collaborate with the leaders of Tianjin,” said Éric Martel, President, Customer Services and Specialized and Amphibious Aircraft, Bombardier Aerospace. “We are eager to have the opportunity to show customers our strong commitment to bringing OEM-backed services to their doorstep. Tianjin Airport Economic Area’s experience and strong leadership reinforce the fact that this is the right partnership that will lead to an amazing customer experience.”
Bombardier Aerospace and the Tianjin Airport Economic Area are working toward definitive agreements to be signed in 2014, subject to obtaining the required internal, governmental and third-party approvals, as well as other usual conditions.
Tianjin Airport Economic Area is an economic development zone within the jurisdiction of Tianjin municipality. The zone is highlighted by China’s central government as a new growth pole in China. Tianjin, with a population of 14 million, is bordered by Beijing 120 kilometres (75 mi) to the northwest. Tianjin boasts a leading economic centre and largest sea port in northern China.
