China company sets up new aviation training centre in Singapore

SINGAPORE: More pilots will learn to take to the skies right here in Singapore. 

China-based aviation company Haite Group is investing S$95.3 million in a new aviation training centre in Changi Business Park. 

This represents the first major investment by a Chinese player in the aviation sector in Singapore. 

At a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, the company said its new 7,000 square metre facility will start with two simulators, with plans to add another four to five more. 

It will cater to pilots and cabin crew flying on Boeing and Airbus planes in China and the Pacific region. 

The Chinese group is banking on soaring regional demand for aviation training services over the next decade. 

According to aviation consultancy services SH&E, some 2,500 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the region, creating demand for 44,000 pilots. 

The Chinese firm is based in Chengdu, and it's also involved in repair and maintenance, inspection, and research and development of aviation electronics. 


Currently, 90 per cent of the company's customers are Chinese aviation companies and the balance 10 per cent from overseas.

The Singapore training centre is expected to begin operations in early 2015, and aims to serve aviation companies from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. 

Mr Zheng Gang, General Manager of Haite's existing training centre in China's Kunming, spoke about why the company chose Singapore as the location for its first overseas venture. 

He said Singapore's central geographical location and favourable investment environment made it an obvious choice for their investment.

"The location is very important. You can see on the map, from Asia to Europe and from Europe to Australia - Singapore is central. The second reason is the environment. The investment environment is very good here, excellent. The government is very efficient and very helpful. And the society and community is safe, and the people are highly educated," he said. 

The company intends to expand its business in Singapore to include aviation repair and maintenance, aviation research and development and aviation manufacturing.