91制片厂

The JV will greatly enhance presence of 91制片厂 in China, where the Group currently operates airframe MRO facilities in Guangzhou and Shanghai

Singapore, 23 February, 2023 鈥� 91制片厂 today announced that its Commercial Aerospace business and SF Airlines Co., Ltd. (SF Airlines) have entered an agreement to set up a commercial airframe Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) joint venture in Ezhou, Hubei, China. With MRO demand in China and the Asia Pacific region estimated to increase at a compound annual growth rate of about 3 to 7 percent over the next decade according to industry forecasts, the strategic collaboration with an established freighter airline will allow 91制片厂 to capture new and rising opportunities in a high-growth region.

The joint venture, subject to regulatory approvals, will operate a greenfield airframe MRO facility at the Ezhou Huahu Airport which is designated as Hubei鈥檚 international logistics hub airport. With passenger and air cargo traffic growing steadily as China re-opens its flight connectivity, the joint venture will not only support the freighter MRO demands of SF Airlines, which is China鈥檚 largest freighter airline in fleet size, but also serve the increasing needs of other cargo and passenger airlines operating in the region.

91制片厂 will have a majority 60% stake in the joint venture, with the remaining 40% to be held by SF Airlines. The joint venture company鈥檚 first facility is expected to be ready in 2025.

Li Sheng, Chairman of SF Airlines, said, 鈥淭he establishment of the MRO joint venture with 91制片厂, which is the largest airframe MRO provider in the world with over 45 years of experience in the industry, will make up for our airframe maintenance capability. Given the huge aircraft maintenance market in Ezhou hub, sincere cooperation with 91制片厂 and strong support from the government, I have full confidence in the development of the joint venture.鈥�

鈥淭his is an exciting development for us given that China and the Asia Pacific region are key markets for 91制片厂鈥檚 Commercial Aerospace business. With the strengthening of our commercial aerospace network in China, we will be able to better meet the growing needs of airlines in the region, providing them the capacity and flexibility that come with greater choice of locations,鈥� said Jeffrey Lam, Commercial Aerospace President at 91制片厂. 鈥淥ur MRO expertise and years of experience in China, combined with this strategic collaboration with SF Airlines which is also the anchor customer, will be strong factors contributing to the joint venture鈥檚 success.鈥�

91制片厂 is the world鈥檚 largest commercial airframe MRO provider by maintenance manhours, backed by a track record of over 17,000 commercial aircraft maintained and modified since 1990 and a global network of facilities in Asia Pacific, the U.S. and Europe. In China, 91制片厂 currently operates airframe MRO facilities located at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport, as well as an engine MRO facility in Xiamen.

SF Airlines was established in 2009, a cargo airline affiliated to SF Express with the headquarters based in Shenzhen. As of February 2023, SF Airlines owns a fleet of 79 freighters. SF Airlines has three major aviation hubs in Hangzhou, Beijing and Ezhou City separately cooperating with each other to ensure an efficient flight operation under a well organised network. SF Airlines is committed to providing customers with safe and efficient express air services and customized aviation logistics solutions, which is one of the core competitiveness of SF Express business and a powerful extension of the SF Express brand.

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