With private aviation traffic to Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao International Airports increasing by 12 percent so far this year, Shanghai Hawker Pacific, which operates FBOs at both airports, has partnered with the airport authorities to establish the first high-density business aircraft parking in the city’s history. The team recently established 22 parking slots at Pudong, while Hongqiao—home to the Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre’s main FBO—has received an additional nine high-density parking slots.
The additions have had an immediate result, according to the service provider. “The success of the new-high density parking is evident in our September results,” said Carey Matthews, the location’s general manager, noting traffic to the FBO increased 19 percent year-over-year. “The Shanghai airport authority's outstanding support for business aviation in China has been instrumental to recent growth.”
At Hongqiao, tie-downs were added on underutilized ramp space to create the new spots. At Pudong, six parking stands capable of accommodating aircraft as large as a Boeing 747 were converted to create the 22 high-density business jet parking spots.
To accommodate the recent increase in traffic, the FBO has doubled the number of tugs at both airports. The company also increased its staffing by 35 percent to accommodate the 24/7 coverage required at Pudong.