Hainan Airlines to be AEI launch customer at the facility
Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI) has added Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co (GCAM), a subsidiary of HNA Aviation Technic Co, as the sixth authorized AEI Conversion Center.
As part of this arrangement, Hainan Airlines will convert at least three AEI B737-800SFs at the facility.
“While the global narrowbody conversion market has slowed somewhat over the last year, we are nonetheless expanding conversion capacity as we believe the market will improve with China recording a stronger recovery over the next several years,” stated Robert Convey, AEI senior vice president of sales and marketing.
“AEI has been a leader in global narrowbody freighter market for over 60 years, we understand the market fluctuations and are preparing to ensure our customers have as many options as possible.”
Stated Dongsheng Yang, general manager of Market Development Department: “In the post-epidemic period, there is still a large demand in the cargo market, and there is a huge market potential in the Asia-Pacific region about the Boeing 737 freighter conversion business.
“GCAM takes advantage of the policy of Hainan Free Trade Port, seize the market opportunity, and build the freighter conversion capacity.
“At the same time, GCAM has great advantages in product price, maintenance ability, maintenance quality and service quality, and can attract many domestic and foreign customers to Hainan in the future to carry out freighter conversion business.”
While an exact date has not been set, AEI expects the first B737-800SF to be converted at the GCAM facility to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
GCAM is based at the Hainan Airlines Base, Meilan International Airport, Haikou City, in Hainan Province.
It can provide overhaul services for multi-model of aircraft and provide all-round one-stop service.
Since the company’s founding in 2012, GCAM provides fuselage regular maintenance, end-of-lease check, cabin renovation and modification services at all levels with the authorization approval of CAAC, FAA, EASA, SSCA, CAACI, DCA, BCAA, ARUBA, MOLIT and JMM.
