Metrojet Forms Mainland Charter Management JV

Expanding its business in mainland China, Hong Kong-based Metrojet (Booth H417) yesterday announced the formation of an aircraft charter management joint venture with Shanghai Junhua Property Co., which has been in operation since 2008. The new company, which will be registered as Metrojet (Shanghai) Business Aviation Limited, still requires approval from the CAAC for its air operator certificate (AOC), a process that could take up to two years, during which time the company will acquire aircraft and hire crew, according to Siah-Joo Tan, Metrojet’s director of corporate development.

“Our China journey continues,” said Metrojet CEO Björn Näf. “Our new joint-venture represents a significant milestone in [the company’s] operations in China, and will enable Metrojet to deliver world-class business charter and management services to its mainland customers.”

For Metrojet, this new collaboration represents its second joint venture in mainland China, following Metrojet Hanxing Zhuhai, its 2013 maintenance partnership with MRO facility Hanxing Group at Zhuhai Airport, which recently secured CAAC Part 145 approval to perform maintenance on the Gulfstream G450 and G550.

“We are optimistic about the business aviation industry in China and we are poised to further strengthen our service offerings to meet the growing demands,” said Näf. “We have joint ventures where our partner complements us in areas of expertise, culture [and] network relationships in their respective areas and Metrojet brings the expertise of private jet operation and maintenance management.”