Return visitors to this year’s ABACE show will certainly notice something different about the venue at the host Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Centre (SHPBAC). Gone is the large pavilion that stood outside just outside the hangar doors, as the location’s second hangar is now operational and like the first hangar, it is now packed with exhibitors. The 4,500-sq-m (48,437-sq-ft) structure adds to the existing 4,000-sq-m (43,000 sq ft) hangar, and includes more office space on three floors. Completed just weeks ahead of the show, it will provide a strong impetus for growth at the FBO, according to Carey Matthews, SHPBAC’s’s general manager.

“It will be a really positive force because it more than doubles our access to do both maintenance and hangar parking here at Hongqiao, which is a pretty big deal,” he told AIN. “I think it allows us to get more aircraft from the community into Hongqiao and it's a big vote of support for business aviation, by the airport and the Chinese government in supporting the growth of the community.” The new hangar, which can accommodate a Boeing Business Jet-sized aircraft or up to seven large-cabin business jets, features four power and air connections installed in the hangar floor, forced-air ventilation, and an elevator serving the upper-level offices. Site preparation, which required rerouting of water and fuel pipelines, started more than two years ago, while the official groundbreaking for the structure occurred last July. With the demolition of some old warehouses, and no need for the large pavilion, the show organizers this year were able to consolidate the show space, moving the static display and manufacturer chalets farther north, closer to the FBO.

For SHPBAC itself, 2017 was a good year, and the company, which handles all business aviation traffic at both Hongqiao and Pudong, has steadily grown since its opening in 2010. Since 2013, business has expanded by 67 percent, and over the past year, the company has increased its staffing between the two locations by 15 percent. Matthews attributes the 8.5 percent increase over 2016 in part to the maturation of services at Pudong International Airport, the company’s second Shanghai location, located at Terminal 2. Unlike Hongqiao, which is open from 7 a.m. until midnight, Pudong has no curfew, and the Hawker Pacific office there is open 24/7. As of last year, it is able to offer customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) services. Having this year-round is a major step forward, Matthews added, as the company could previously offer CIQ only at its Hongqiao FBO.

The company also initiated a high-density parking plan at Pudong, with 20 dedicated jet parking spaces in a remote parking area. It is in the process of adding another 10 spaces that can accommodate BBJ-ACJ size jets. With the aircraft in such close proximity to each other, the FBO is required to perform pushback service, and has ordered a new Lektro tug capable of moving business jetliner-sized aircraft, to augment its existing two at Pudong. Matthews noted that the company plans to build a full-service FBO at the airport once Runway 5 is operational in two to three years.

On any given day, between the two airports, SHPBAC has least 50 business aircraft under its care, and to meet the demand of Gulfstream customers, the location’s MRO at Hongqiao has expanded capabilities for the G450 and G550 and recently performed its first C-check. “We do help on a lot of AOG, line services, and now we're getting into the out-of-warranty, scheduled maintenance quite a bit with the local community," said Matthews.