Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre (SHPBAC) recently became the first maintenance, repair and overhaul in Mainland China to receive approval to provide maintenance on aircraft registered in the Isle of Man. The authorization comes shortly after the Isle of Man agreed to recognize the China’s CAAC regulatory authority equivalency clearing the way for MROs to seek authorizations.

The authorization allows the facility to service a growing number of Isle of Man aircraft transiting through the region. “It is a compelling registry for many Asian owners, and we think that having this new MRO approval in Shanghai will be a kit bit of the ever expanding service infrastructure in China,” said SHPBAC General Manager Carey Matthews, who added that more than 500 aircraft are on the registry. SHPBAC worked with the Isle of Man government more than a year to develop compliance capability.

The approval comes as business continues to grow for SHBASC. The fixed-base operation business in Shanghai experienced its busiest first four months since the facility opened six years ago, Matthews said. In April, movements increased 8 percent from a year earlier, totaling 600 between Hongqiao and Pudong International Airport. The facility at Hongqiao Airport hosted ABACE in April with a number of static aircraft on display. That was followed by the Shanghai Auto Show, which brought in operators.

Business in May so far has remained strong, Matthews said, noting that while growth in B-registered operations may have slowed, operations overall in China continue to grow.