Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

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The Macau Airport Authority has awarded Jet Aviation a 10-year concession to operate a new business aviation maintenance facility at Macau International Airport. The Swiss-based group also announced today that it is further expanding the capability of its Singapore facility.

 


Operations in the new Jet Aviation Macau maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility will begin in August 2015. The company is leasing half of a new 8,000 square meter (86,000 sq ft) hangar, plus an additional 1,000 square meters (10,764 sq ft) of workshops and office space. The facility is adjacent to Macau’s new FBO, which is run by the airport authority.

 


The new location will supplement the work of Jet Aviation’s existing MRO operation in Hong Kong, which is an authorized service center (ASC) for both Gulfstream and Dassault aircraft. The company will extend its European and U.S. Part 145 approvals to the new facility, as well as securing the same authorization from the Macau authorities.

 


Jet Aviation’s Hong Kong facility also provides line support for Bombardier Challenger and Global Express aircraft, and employs some 60 people. However, with business aircraft operators still facing difficulties getting landing slots at Hong Kong International Airport, the company has been eager to establish an alternative base for supporting aircraft operating in and out of Greater China.

 


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Singapore Expands

 


Meanwhile, Jet Aviation’s facility at Singapore’s Seletar Airport has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a new cabin interiors workshop. The company has doubled the size of its team of craftsmen providing extensive refurbishments of business aircraft, and can now handle warranty repair work.

 


The Singapore facility is currently working on a Bombardier Challenger 605 and a Gulfstream GIV to complete, respectively, a full cabinetry and veneer refurbishment, and a cabin interior upgrade. Last year, it completed several projects including a full interior refurbishment for a GIV and interior component retrofits on a pair of VIP-configured Boeing 747s.

 


“We’re developing a reputation as a one-stop-shop with our combined maintenance inspection and refurbishment offering, including upholstery and avionics or cabin management upgrades,” said John Riggir, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Singapore. “We have experienced increased demand from the maturing fleet of long-range, large cabin aircraft that are based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. We also expect to receive certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China later this year, which will further support our customers.”

 


The expanded Singapore interiors facility includes a new eco-friendly spray-painting and buffing shop. Jet Aviation works with Hawker Pacific to provide full repaint services for aircraft up to the size of the Gulfstream G650 and the Bombardier Global family.

 


Separately, Jet Aviation Singapore has received FAA approval to provide line and base maintenance for the G650. It has also just won repair station approval from Thailand’s aviation authorities. The facility is an ASC and warranty repair site for Gulfstream aircraft, as well as being an ASC for the Nextant 400XT and a line maintenance station for Boeing Business Jets. It also supports numerous Bombardier models.

 


By the end of May, Jet Aviation will add two Hong Kong-based G650ER aircraft to its managed fleet. This will mean that it operates seven G650s under management contracts across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In total, the company now has 30 aircraft under management that are based in Hong Kong, and several of these are managed for Chinese owners.

 


Last year, Jet Aviation completed an expansion and modernization of its Seletar FBO, which it opened back in 1995. It can now offer more ramp and hangar parking for the growing number of business aircraft using the airport. “We expect to see our handling business increase further in 2015 now that the construction work is complete, and we are also seeing an increase in the average size of aircraft we support,” said Stefan Benz, Jet Aviation’s vice president for MROs and FBOs. “With the significant expansion we have completed in Singapore, we are now offering a truly integrated service model for operators from right across the Asia Pacific region.”

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