Despite COVID-19 Slowdown, Asia-Pacific Is Still Ramping Up Capacity
The pandemic has slowed growth in one of the world's growth regions, but despite this, some MROs are pressing ahead with their plans to expand capacity across facilities. Among these are China-based GAMECO, which is scheduled to open a new hangar at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport that will be able to simultaneously house 15 narrowbodies or six widebodies and five narrowbodies.
1 Million Square Feet
The hangar, as seen from the northwest view, will cost $130 million and will cover 1 million ft.2, including the hangar hall, shops, office and warehouse. The apron is not included in the coverage figure.
Roof Raising
The hangar spans 334 meters, is 108 meters deep and 35 meters heigh. This is a view from the southwest side. GAMECO broke ground on the hangar on May 23, 2019 and lifted the roof on Sept. 20, 2020.
Photo credit: GAMECO
Think Beyond Pandemic
At the roof lifting ceremony, GAMECO CEO Norbert Marx said he expects the hangar to be finished in 2021 and operational in 2022. During Aviation Week’s virtual MRO Asia-Pacific, he said might have delayed the hangar if he would’ve know the pandemic was coming but emphasized that it is important to look beyond the pandemic and move forward with strategic projects.
Photo credit: GAMECO
Other Project In the Works
GAMECO is also in the process of building a component and composite center, which should be operational in 2022. GAMECO generated 6.7 million manhours of MRO work in 2019.
As executive editor of MRO and business aviation, Lee Ann Shay directs Aviation Week's coverage of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including Inside MRO, and business aviation, including BCA.
