For every year since its opening in 2010, the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Center (SHPBASC)—the perennial host of ABACE—has experienced growth. Last year was no exception, with the facility, the only FBO serving the metropolis of Shanghai, reporting an 11 percent increase in traffic year-over-year.

According to general manager Carey Matthews, the FBO, which serves business aviation operators using both Hongqiao and Pudong Airports, is on a path to exceed that pace. “It was our busiest three months to start the year ever through March, and it was our busiest year ever last year,” Matthews told AIN, noting that last month finished up with a 12 percent increase in traffic compared to a year earlier. “That goes back to the fact that we set up high-density parking in both Hongqiao and Pudong,” he said.

The location’s maintenance business—which is authorized to work on aircraft from Bombardier, Cessna, Dassault and Hawker Beechcraft, and is approved for maintenance on the Gulfstream G450 and G550 by the CAAC and FAA—also noted an increase of approximately 30 percent over the previous year. Matthews said his staff of technicians has “stepped up and evolved to where I think they are one of the most competent and well rounded group of business aviation mechanics in China.”

Last week, the airport completed the rerouting of the main fuel feed pipeline into Hongqiao, paving the way for construction to start on the FBO’s new 4,500-sq-m (48,437-sq-ft) hangar. The new building is funded by SHPBASC. Larger than the structure currently occupied by ABACE, and able to accommodate the latest generation of ultra-long range business jets, it could be available by next year’s show, Matthews noted.

While its main facility is at Hongqiao, SHPBASC has a full time staff of 30 at Pudong with offices, a VIP lounge and 24 parking spots for aircraft. The airport currently is building its fifth runway, which is expected to enter service next year. Use of that runway will be largely reserved for flight testing of Comac’s new 919 narrowbody airliner. Once that is complete, SHPBASC hopes to see construction of a full-fledged FBO there, to rival its facility at Hongqiao.