Sino Jet has revealed its plans to further expand into China's Greater Bay Area (GBA) and meet growing demand, having opened a base in Guangzhou and become the first company in mainland China to achieve IS-BAO Stage II last year.

A GBA Initiative from the central government of China aims to shape the region as an economy comparable to global bay areas such as San Francisco, greater New York and Tokyo. Around 25 per cent of those on the Forbes China Rich List 2018 are based in or originate from the GBA, indicating a market for business aviation services. There is also a trend among China's elite for access to highly personalised travel, which Sino Jet offers through its flying club, GeoStar.

Sino Jet currently has four bases in the GBA at Macau, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Group president Jenny Lau comments: “Hong Kong remains one of our dual headquarters along with Beijing. Sino Jet Macau provides an alternative to Hong Kong International airport during peak periods and will develop further in the mid-term. In Guangzhou, demand for general aviation is growing and we will continue our investment in the region. Shenzhen, already a major hub in southern China, is a location where we see huge opportunity with the release of the third terminal and increased parking.

“We have always taken a first-to-market approach and it is one in which we lead with the highest levels of safety and service. We plan to replicate this model in the GBA as we have elsewhere in greater China by recruiting more highly qualified professionals and well-trained engineers to meet the huge demand for business jet services in Shenzhen and the wider GBA.”

Economic growth in the GBA is predicted to surpass the rest of China and drive business expansion, according to a recent joint report from KPMG, HSBC and HKGCC. Under its plans, the central government of China is set to invest in the GBA, connecting its cities for international and domestic transport including business aviation. Sino Jet claims to be one of the fastest growing business aviation management companies with multiple bases in greater China. Through its group of companies, it offers a range of services, specialising in niche and business travel. The company is also actively involved in targeting the new trend for ‘bleisure’, combining business and pleasure travel with the use of business jets.

Frank De, president of Sino Jet Hong Kong, adds: “We saw an opportunity to be one of the first-to-market in Guangzhou, Macau and the wider GBA when early indications of its future development came to light in 2015-16. With early planning and action, we have forged and solidified partnerships with service providers that enable us to deliver a seamless experience without compromising on our safety and service standards. Local knowledge is particularly important in mainland China where the procedural situation is often complex.

“Our Beijing headquarters operates with CAAC Part 91 and we have established a cooperative connection with the aviation authorities whereby we can comfortably navigate operational matters. What is important to our customers is our ability to navigate operational procedures inside and outside of China. We look forward to our further expansion into the GBA where we will continue to grow the fleet, our service profile and the company's customer base.”