Aviation News Item: 09199

2nd Jun 2010

Source: evaint.com

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently signed an agreement with Beijing-based Deer Jet Co. LTD to support the company's growing fleet of Gulfstream aircraft. China's largest business-jet charter operator, Deer Jet owns three Gulfstream G550s, two Gulfstream GVs, four Gulfstream GIVs and four Gulfstream G200s. Under the agreement, Gulfstream will expand its support network in mainland China, providing Deer Jet with a maintenance support team that includes a maintenance technician, avionics technician and quality-control specialist. In addition, Deer Jet and other regional customers will have access to two Gulfstream interior technicians based in Hong Kong and a Gulfstream field service representative (FSR) based in Beijing.

"The business-jet market in China is expanding rapidly, and we are committed to staying ahead of that growth with an expanding product support infrastructure," said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream Product Support. "This agreement ensures Deer Jet receives the award-winning product support Gulfstream is known for, and that Deer Jet can continue to pursue growth opportunities in Asia."

The growing presence of Gulfstream in China also includes the creation of three positions in the region: a Product Support regional program director, an international distribution manager for parts and materials, an FSR.

Mark Thibault, the former chief operating officer of Metrojet Limited in Hong Kong, was recently named to the regional program director post. Thibault is responsible for overseeing all Product Support efforts for Gulfstream aircraft fleet operators in Asia. His duties include coordinating aircraft maintenance and support requirements for Gulfstream operators located in or traveling through Asia, and supervising the growth of the Gulfstream support network.

James Liang will join Thibault in Hong Kong as the international distribution manager for parts and materials. Liang will manage Gulfstream inventory and oversee distribution for more than $48 million in parts and materials at three strategic locations: Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore.

Jenson Saw, the new FSR, is based in Beijing but will assist customers throughout the country. Saw speaks six languages, including English, Mandarin and Cantonese, and has 15 years of business-jet maintenance experience.

According to published reports, China's private-jet market is expected to grow by a world-leading rate of 15.6 percent from 2009 to 2018. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hainan Airlines Group, 16-year-old Deer Jet grew by 32 percent in 2009 and is projected to grow by 60 percent in 2010. Approximately 30 private jets are currently registered to operate on China's mainland. Including its in-service Gulfstream aircraft, Deer Jet operates 23 corporate jets, three of which are owned by private customers. This year, Deer Jet plans to add at least 10 new jets, all owned by private customers, to its fleet.

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