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China Aircraft Services Limited (CASL) today (May 22) announced the opening of its new aircraft maintenance hangar at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The opening ceremony was officiated by the Secretary for Transport and Housing of the HKSAR Government, Ms Eva Cheng, and the Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government of the PRC in HKSAR, Ms Guo Li. Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Simon Galpin, was also invited as one of the official guests.
CASL is one of only two companies franchised by the Airport Authority Hong Kong to provide aircraft line and base maintenance services at the HKIA. The hangar, which represents an additional HK$400 million investment by CASL into Hong Kong, provides 10,000 square metres of maintenance space and took about two years to build. This expansion will enable CASL to increase its service offering to include hangar workshop support, heavy maintenance checks and major defect rectifications to its clients – airline companies from Greater China, Europe and America operating flights in and out of Hong Kong.
Chief Executive Officer of China Aircraft Services Limited, Dr Angus Cheung said, "We see huge opportunities for the HKIA brought about by continued developments facilitating connections between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. Our additional investment in the city represents our confidence in Hong Kong's strengthening position as a regional aviation hub."
The company anticipates that its expansion will create over 200 new job opportunities for the aviation industry in Hong Kong. "In addition, we are also setting up a technical training school to provide training for our staff," added Dr Cheung.
Designed to meet increasing demand for its services, CASL's new hangar is large enough to accommodate one wide-body and one narrow-body aircraft at the same time. This allows for servicing of both the large B747 aircraft used for international flights as well as the smaller aircraft used for regional flights.
Mr Galpin welcomed CASL's expansion in Hong Kong. "The completion of the new hangar is a boost for the HKIA which now provides airlines with more comprehensive and varied aircraft maintenance services. HKIA is a world-class international airport with one of the world's heaviest international passenger and cargo volumes. The expansion of CASL's aircraft support services strengthens Hong Kong's position as a regional and international aviation hub," he said.
Mr Galpin continued, "At Invest Hong Kong we introduce potential investors to Hong Kong's enduring business advantages, including our strategic regional location and enviable position as the gateway to Mainland China but the proof is seeing businesses here continue to invest and grow to capture increasing opportunities in the region. CASL's expansion illustrates its vote of confidence in Hong Kong and I wish them every success in this and future expansions in our city."
CASL plans to continue extending its scope of services in Hong Kong and expand its business presence in the Greater China and Asia-Pacific Region.
About China Aircraft Services Limited (CASL)
CASL supports its shareholder airlines' operations in Hong Kong and also serves many international airlines, including British Airways, Lufthansa Airlines, Air France, KLM, Asiana Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Northwest Airlines, Japan Airlines, Air Macau, Hong Kong Express Airways, Hong Kong Airlines and Oriental Thai Airlines. CASL has grown from around 300 employees in 1998 to over 1,000 today and is currently one of the largest aircraft maintenance and ground support service providers in Hong Kong. Its aircraft cabin cleaning services account for approximately 50% of the local market of passenger flights. For more information, please visit www.casl.com.hk.
About Invest Hong Kong
Invest Hong Kong is the award-winning department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting and facilitating inward investment into the city, by providing free services and support to help overseas, Mainland and Taiwanese companies establish or expand their business presence in Hong Kong. For more information, please visit www.InvestHK.gov.hk.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 12:01
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