METROJET LTD. started on Wednesday the construction of its aviation parking and maintenance facility in Clark, Pampanga, targeting its opening by second quarter of 2020.
The Hong Kong-based firm said it is investing $25 million to build the 26,000-square meter (sq.m.) facility, which is eyed to become its hub for all of its operations in Asia.
“This is the largest in our 21-year history, largest single investment in behalf of Metrojet and the Kadoorie Group in aviation. We’re very, very excited about this. It shows our long-term commitment to the business and to the Philippines, and in particular, to the Clark region,” Metrojet Chief Executive Officer Gary Dolski told reporters after the groundbreaking ceremony.
Metrojet is a business jet operator with presence in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and China. It offers maintenance, repair and overhaul services to its aviation clients.
Mr. Dolski said they have a 50-year lease contract with the government for the Clark facility, which is their second facility after Hong Kong.
“This will be our largest facility and this will be where we will do our base maintenance. Currently, Hong Kong, where we’re based at for many, many years, it’s a congested airport…. Which is why we are doing something over here,” he said.
He added that the location, relative to Metrojet’s area of operations, and the support of the government, are the main factors why they chose Clark.
“Clark in the Philippines is a very good area for us to grow,” Mr. Dolski said.
The facility will have a maximum capacity of 10 long range business jets, with 7,100 sq.m. of its floor space dedicated for the hangar, 2,500 sq.m. for customer accommodation and storage and 11,000 sq.m. for taxi-way and parking ramp.
Metrojet is tapping Aircraft Support Industries for the construction of the facility and MERx Construction Management Pte. Ltd. for the design and build of the project. — Denise A. Valdez
