ZHUHAI Airport is seeking foreign investors to help set up and manage an aircraft maintenance centre to compete with facilities in Hong Kong and Xiamen, according to the city's vice-mayor.
Zhou Benhui, speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce lunch, said it was hoped the site would lure maintenance business from overseas, even though it was granted only domestic status by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
'A sizeable aircraft maintenance base aiming at overseas aircraft maintenance is under planning,' Mr Zhou said.
'Businessmen from all over the world are welcome to co-operate and invest.' The airport's deputy general manager, Feng Zhaoming, said a Canadian company had expressed interest in the centre for wide-body aircraft.
A large aircraft maintenance centre is due to open soon in Xiamen, and Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co (HAECO) will open an even larger site at Chek Lap Kok airport in 1998 to replace its centre at Kai Tak.
'It is up to the investors to consider all these questions,' Mr Feng said.
'For this project, the companies themselves are expressing interest, so it will be up to them to decide if the competition is too much. We want them to bring in the business.' Mr Feng said it was not known when a decision would be made on the centre, but he said it was imminent as an engine maintenance centre would open soon.
