Hongkong Jet set on a hiring high
Hongkong Jet's ambitious plan is to be a regional leader in business aviation - and be the best the industry can offer.
Set up in 2009, the young business jet airline has been expanding fast with the backing of its major shareholder, the Hainan Island-based HNA Group, a Fortune 500 company with a large stake in tourism-related industries.
Hongkong Jet is the group's international arm for business aviation, covering private jet aircraft management, business jet charter, maintenance management and aircraft sales, focusing on safety and high standards of service. It has already launched chartered operations with an ultra long-haul Gulfstream G550 aircraft that can fly non-stop from Hong Kong to London or San Francisco, and is also operating a fleet of large-cabin business jets.
Growth will be based on the company's long-term vision and good co-operation with its mainland counterpart.
'We are operationally and financially autonomous, entrepreneurial and keen to act on opportunities as the overseas arm of HNA for business aviation. We have also found a number of opportunities outside of Hong Kong. We are experiencing high growth and hiring lots of people, and tooling up for our MRO (Multi-Region Operation) capabilities,' says Hongkong Jet CEO Chris Buchholz.
The business jet airline expects to grow its size this year to about 85 people. However, the expansion also offers good opportunities for career development. 'We like to promote from within. It is very important for team morale. A happy staff is the best way to get business and development,' Buchholz explains.
Positions to fill include licensed pilots, flight attendants, flight dispatchers, engineers and office employees such as accountants and sales and marketing staff.
'We want people with an international outlook, to retain and build further our international flavour. The operational language is English, but our staff are multicultural and are able to change the language of communication to what suits the customers. We are a very international team,' Buchholz says.
The job is different from working for a commercial airline with scheduled flights. Demand is unpredictable: employees have to be flexible and on call all the time. They must also have experience in dealing with VIPs and offering service to the standard of a five-star hotel.
So far, demand mostly covers Asia. But with rising Chinese investment in North America and Europe, Buchholz expects growing demand for flights to these destinations.
POTENTIAL PAY
Aviation
Management Level
HK$50,000 (10 years+)
Senior Engineer
HK$40,000-50,000 (5-10 years)
Engineer
HK$25,000-30,000 (3-5years)
Trainee
HK$15000-20,000 (0-2 years)
Source: Aviation Institute
