GAMECO Enters New Era 15th Anniversary  2004-09-09 11:33:06.0        Jessica LiangGuangzhou, P. R. China, Sep 9, 2004 – GAMECO, a premier provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services in China, has entered into a new era after its relocation to the New Baiyun International Airport. Established in 1989 and started operation one year later, GAMECO is a joint venture between China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in China with a substantial fleet of 139 advanced aircraft, and Hutchison Whampoa. The company is CAAC, FAA and JAA certified repair station to perform multi-levels of aircraft maintenance checks for Boeing B737, 747, 757, 767, 777 as well as Airbus A319, 320 and 321 aircraft. Up to August 2004, the company has completed heavy maintenance service for 830 plus aircraft in the old airport. It also provides line maintenance services at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport for over 200 flights daily, as well as providing extensive component repair capabilities to support its maintenance commitments. In addition to the above maintenance business, the company has also developed landing gear overhaul capabilities and has overhauled 11 gears for China Southern Airlines. It is also interested in developing cargo conversion capabilities to enhance its presence in the aviation market. The company has a client base of 30 plus domestic and international carriers and aircraft leasing companies. With completion of 132 aircraft heavy maintenance services last year, GAMECO has won about 35 percent of the market for MRO services from domestic airlines. However, due to lack of spaces in the old airport, sometimes GAMECO had to say “sorry” to some of its customers who intended to offer their heavy maintenance contract. This problem has been solved since its new state-of-the-art hangar was put into operation on Aug 9th. The company has invested over US$100 million to build its new hangar, which can accommodate two wide body and five narrow body aircraft at the same time with the total area of 96,254 square meters. Aside from the main hangar facility, the company also has a dedicated paint hangar, which is designed for accommodating one wide body or two narrow body aircraft for painting or maintenance simultaneously. Nevertheless, the new facilities are still expected to reach its maximum capacity in three to five years and the company is already in talks to rent facilities at the airport of Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province. It has been renting a base in Zhengzhou, Capital of Central China’s Henan Province, since 2002. GAMECO has been trying for some time to expand its services for foreign airlines for both flights that specifically require MRO services and regular flights. With the launch of the new airport, more and more foreign airlines and international flights are set to call at Guangzhou. The airport company announced last year that it planned to attract 10 more foreign airlines to bring the total to 19 and increase the number of international flight routes from 22 to 40 in three years. This is actually a new challenge to GAMECO. Even though it has to face the competition of some other MROs in the city, GAMECO has self-confidence because “to win the confidence of potential customers, quality of service and turnaround times are the key,” said Joey Lo, Director of Business Development. GAMECO is marking its 15th annivers