The Tianjin Airport Economic Area has signed a letter of agreement with Bombardier Aerospace to expand the Canadian manufacturer’s aircraft maintenance services in Mainland China. The agreement is a first step toward the creation of a joint venture for a maintenance facility slated to open in 2016.

To be located in Tianjin, China, the facility will support the maintenance, repair, overhaul and associated activities and services for all Bombardier business aircraft and, subject to certain conditions, on Bombardier commercial aircraft. Under the joint venture, the facility will be operated using processes and procedures similar to those that govern Bombardier’s factory service center network.

Bombardier Aerospace and the Tianjin Airport Economic Area are working toward signing definitive agreements next year subject to obtaining the required internal, governmental and third-party approvals.

The Chinese central government has identified the Tianjin Binhai New Area, lying within the municipality of Tianjin, as a new growth region. It reports a population of 14 million and is located 75 miles southeast of Beijing.