The CIPCC Hainan Tour co-organized by the China International Press Communication Center and the Foreign Affairs Office of Hainan Province, kicked off in Haikou on March 24. Reporters from 11 countries including Mongolia, Indonesia, Bulgaria, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Brazil began a seven-day trip around Hainan lasting from March 24 to 30, aiming to gain an in-depth understanding of the latest progress in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port. The tour itinerary covers Haikou, Wenchang, Qionghai, Lingshui, and Sanya.

International media reporters from the China International Press Communication Center visit the first “one-stop” aircraft maintenance industrial base in China during their trip to Hainan. (Photo: hinews)

On the afternoon of March 24, the first stop of the reporters’ group was China’s first “one-stop” aircraft maintenance industrial base, located in the north section of Haikou Meilan International Airport. The bustling scenes inside the two giant hangars deeply impressed international media reporters. Nikhil Kumar, a reporter from the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, was amazed by the livery painting work. He said: “Usually full-body aircraft livery painting takes 4-6 months, but here it only takes 20 days, and it can be shortened to as fast as 15-18 days!” He was impressed by the base's innovations and efficiency.

Do Thi Thu Hien, a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency’s television channel, was particularly interested in aircraft maintenance and livery painting service location advantages. Wang Haiye, the base’s operations director, explained that Hainan’s aviation network, centered around Meilan Airport, covers major Southeast Asian aviation hubs within a 4-hour flight radius and reaches half of the world’s population within an 8-hour flight. Hainan Province is developing a “4-hour flight economic circle”, covering over 20 countries and regions and nearly 50% of the global population. Leveraging this unique geographical advantage and the policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the base can provide better aviation maintenance services.

International media reporters from the China International Press Communication Center visit the first “one-stop” aircraft maintenance industrial base in China during their trip to Hainan. (Photo: hinews)

In response to the question raised by Shahrokh Saei, a reporter from the Tehran Times, about whether the base can provide maintenance and repair services for any aircraft model or airline, Wang Haiye confirmed that the base has currently obtained maintenance qualifications from multiple aviation authorities.

The Hainan Free Trade Port’s “zero-tariff” and “dual 15%” tax policies can reduce maintenance costs up to 10% - 15%. Convenient customs clearance policies have significantly improved the efficiency of importing international aviation materials. Thanks to these institutional advantages, the base has secured 22 aviation maintenance licenses from 17 countries. The aviation engine maintenance base, which was put into operation in October 2023, has obtained OEM authorization from two countries and regions. This is the only authorized aviation maintenance qualification held by a base in the Chinese mainland. The base is also the most modern in the Asia-Pacific region, with world-class maintenance facilities.

International media reporters from the China International Press Communication Center visit the first “one-stop” aircraft maintenance industrial base in China during their trip to Hainan. (Photo: hinews)

Backed by policy benefits and geographical advantages, the base has completed several landmark projects, including Mongolia’s first inbound maintenance in 2023, livery service for Qatar Airways, and the tariff-exempted takeoff of a Boeing 737-800 aircraft from a South Korean airline after servicing by Hainan Airlines Technic subsidiary Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co., Ltd., achieving the “first order” of the pilot program for temporary inbound repair in the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Nikhil Kumar noted that the maintenance base offers fast, highly efficient services. Under the preferential tax policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port, customers can enjoy high-quality services at low prices. This is highly beneficial for customers from developing countries and reflects China’s goal to provide cost-effective service options to the international market through the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Kumar also mentioned that Fiji, as a South Pacific island nation, relies heavily on tourism and agricultural exports. He hopes to learn from Hainan’s industrial development experience during this trip, helping Fiji and neighboring Pacific island countries benefit from the Hainan Free Trade Port’s development and explore opportunities in the Asia-Pacific tourism and agricultural markets.

International media reporters from the China International Press Communication Center visit the first “one-stop” aircraft maintenance industrial base in China during their trip to Hainan. (Photo: hinews)