Press Release
Issued by Avion Pacific.
November 17, 2010
The Management Committee of Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park announced today that it had signed an investment agreement with a Joint Venture company formed by Avion Pacific Limited and SEACOR Capital (Asia) Limited to establish the Zhuhai Avion/SEACOR General Aviation Center (the "Zhuhai General Aviation Center") in Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park. The Zhuhai General Aviation Center plans to offer Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, flight operation services, training for pilots and mechanics, and a Fixed Base Operation (FBO). The signing took place at the Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park and State High Tech Industrial Base booth at the 9th Annual China Zhuhai Air Show.
Mr. Chen Jie Vice Chairman of the Zhuhai Municipal Political Consultation Committee and Party Secretary of Jinwan District gave a speech at the signing ceremony describing the importance of developing Zhuhai's general aviation industry and expressing his wish for the project to have a successful start. Mr. Zuo Du, Director of Jinwan District and Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park signed the Agreement on behalf of the Aviation Industrial Park Management Committee.
Avion Pacific Limited (www.avionpacific.com) ("Avion") is a general aviation company headquartered in Hong Kong and with operations throughout China. Avion has a long history of providing sales and marketing services for business jets, helicopters, private aircraft and aviation spare parts, as well as value-added after-sale support services. Avion is a pioneer in delivering helicopter flight services with a combined Sino-foreign crew, with over a decade of experience supporting offshore oil and gas helicopter operations in China. Avion entered into Part-145 certified helicopter maintenance services in 2009 and also provides aircraft leasing and aviation consulting services. Avion has offices and operational bases in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chengdu and Xian.
Wu Zhendong, Managing Director of Avion, commented that "The general aviation industry in China requires a broad range of services. Avion has always been dedicated to providing top-quality service by integrating Asian and Western expertise. We believe that good infrastructure is the foundation of professional general aviation activities, and by partnering with the Zhuhai Industrial Park, Avion is committed to establishing a first-class general aviation center for extended value-added services in mainland China."
SEACOR Capital (Asia) Limited, based in Hong Kong, is a wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc. (www.seacorholdings.com) ("SEACOR"). SEACOR is a global provider of equipment and services primarily supporting the offshore oil and gas and marine transportation industries. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, SEACOR also owns, operates, leases and distributes fixed wing and rotary aircraft, and manufactures and distributes aircraft spare parts. SEACOR is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CKH". SEACOR is the owner of the Era Group, an international aviation business which owns, operates, manages and leases approximately 180 helicopters engaged in a wide range of services including offshore oil and gas transport, air medical operations, training and search and rescue operations.
Charles Fabrikant, Executive Chairman of SEACOR Holdings Inc., commented that "The signing of this agreement with Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park signifies SEACOR's commitment to the development of general aviation in mainland China. We believe that Zhuhai is well positioned to develop general aviation in southern China and we are pleased to be partnering with the Industrial Park management."
The Joint Venture will work closely with other major Chinese and international general aviation companies to develop flight services in China, including general aviation maintenance and training for both helicopters and business jets in the general aviation section of the Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park.
According to Mr. Jun He, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park, the Zhuhai General Aviation Center is one of the core investment projects introduced into Zhuhai Aviation Industrial Park this year. Its helicopter and business jet operations, MRO, training and FBO facility will be unprecedented in the Pearl River Delta area.
The first phase of the project will occupy an area of 34,580 square meters. It is estimated that the construction of the Zhuhai General Aviation Center will start in early 2011 and operations are expected to begin in 2012.
