The "Αιρ Ψομμθνιτυ" platform allows for convenient booking and online transactions, incorporating real-time flight information for flight-planning and air traffic monitoring, and also has online forums for real time discussions between industry experts.
HNA Group adds up a new milestone for the Chinese general aviation industry. Just after months of establishing HNA General Aviation Investment Group (HNA General Aviation), the Chinese conglomerate went a step forward by launching the “Air Community“, the most comprehensive online network which allows access to all services across the industry including private jets, helicopters, flight training, etc.
The “Air Community“, which is available in Chinese in its beta version 1.0, is a complete e-commerce platform for general aviation connecting operators with customers. The platform allows for convenient booking and online transactions, incorporating real-time flight information for flight-planning and air traffic monitoring, and also has online forums for real time discussions between industry experts.
HNA General Aviation is using the latest in cloud computing and big data processing systems to promote all services across the industry. A move which is part of a larger national strategy after China’s State Council issued the “Guidelines for the Promotion of the Sustainable Development of the General Aviation Industry” earlier this year, suggesting the building of more than 500 general aviation airports covering 50% of 5A-rated tourism destinations in the country by 2020. The new infrastructure shall provide with a base for a fleet of more than 5,000 general aviation aircraft and increase operational capability to handle 2 million flying hours per year, boosting the overall competitiveness of the industry.
To date, China is home to 364 general aviation companies with an average asset-profit ration of about 30%. Main reasons for this erratic profitability ratio are high operating costs and China’s air traffic restrictions. Other factors influencing the optimal performance of the industry are ever changing regulations, heavy taxation and surcharges, lack of market competition standards, and inefficient integration of the supply chain.
For HNA General Aviation Group, it was evident that China urgently needed to develop a nationwide platform for the industry to integrate resources, and satisfy both supply and demand. The “Air Community” has the largest network of business jet and helicopter charters, industrial parks, and training centres among other services. This highlights the strong commitment of the Group to further integrate the supply chain and improve services.
According to reports from the Chinese media, the “Air Community” stands as the leading e-commerce platform for general aviation in China. The website is already offering services from its premier network of operators including Deer Jet, Capital Helicopters, Xilin Fengteng General Aviation, Guanchen General Aviation, Hainan Aviation Academy, etc. The website will continue to integrate more services and products from its growing network of operators.
Right after going online, the “Air Community” has proved its potential with bookings of the newly launched helicopter taxi service between Haikou and Xuwen, operated by Capital Helicopters and supported by Hainan Harbour and Shipping Holdings. The new service shortened travel time between the two cities to 10 minutes, and solves the need of alternative and more efficient transportation in the region.
HNA General Aviation Group already operates the biggest and most comprehensive supply chain for general aviation in China including private jets, helicopters, general aviation airports, airport construction and management, infrastructure investment, and training centres among other fields, and will continue to integrate assets both in China and overseas.
Photo caption: Take off of maiden Haikou-Xuwen helicopter taxi service operated by Capital Helicopters
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
