Sino Jet has entered a strategic partnership with the Jiangxi Airport VIP Service Company to build and manage the first FBO at Nanchang Changbei International airport. The grand opening of the FBO took place last month. The investment forms part of Sino Jet's expansion into mainland China ahead of an anticipated 20 per cent year-on-year increase in business jet use in Jiangxi Province over the next three years.

Business jet movements in China exceeded 27,000 in 2019, with Nanchang accounting for less than one per cent 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. Our investment stems from our confidence in the growth potential of Jiangxi Province as part of China's growing business aviation ecosystem,” says a Sino Jet spokesperson.

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 per cent 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 or more in 2020.

“We believe that there is a great opportunity in the optimisation of China's second tier city aviation infrastructure,” the spokesperson continues. “According to the 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. 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.

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 will provide extensive ground handling services, an advanced flight operating system and a highly personalised customer service platform. The company concludes: “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.”