Gulfstream’s fleet in Greater China (which includes China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) has grown to more than 165 aircraft.
“We have experienced tremendous growth in Greater China, particularly on the mainland, where we had 30 aircraft in 2010 and now have more than 100, including the new G650ER that recently delivered into China,” said Scott Neal, senior vice president, worldwide sales and marketing, Gulfstream. “We have more than 65% of the market share for large-cabin aircraft in Greater China.”
To support China-based operators’ maintenance needs, Gulfstream and joint-venture partner Hainan Group opened a service center at Beijing Capital International Airport in November 2012. The site now has 52 employees, including 24 technicians, and has seen more than 540 aircraft visits, including 134 in 2015.
A short distance from Hong Kong International Airport, the home base of more than 50 Gulfstream aircraft, including eight G650/G650ERs, is Gulfstream’s Product Support Asia office, home to the Asia Customer Support Contact Center. The center offers computer maintenance program analysis, technical system support, over-the-counter parts sales and warranty assistance.
The company has positioned approximately US$65m in parts in Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore, and field service representatives in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai. In Hong Kong and Bangkok, Gulfstream has Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) technicians who specialize in rapid-response assistance to aircraft-on-ground situations. Gulfstream also recently signed its first China-based customer for its cost-per-hour maintenance program, PlaneParts.
Also in Hong Kong, Gulfstream has a company-authorized service center, Jet Aviation, and a company-authorized warranty facility, Metrojet. Another customer resource is FlightSafety International’s Gulfstream Learning Center for technicians and pilots, which features a level-D qualified full-flight simulator for the G550 and G450.
April 13, 2016
