Metrojet opens P1.75B aircraft maintenance facility in Clark

The second billion-peso aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at Clark Freeport, Pampanga, opens this week, solidifying the country’s position as a global hub for aviation services.

In a statement on Monday, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) announced that Hong Kong’s Metrojet Engineering is opening its P1.75-billion MRO facility on three hectares of land at the former US military base.

“Metrojet will start catering Fixed Based Operations for Corporate Jets in its first MRO facility that will also service various types of aircraft and capacities at the aviation complex,” CIAC president and CEO Victor Luciano said in a statement.

CIAC signed the deal with Metrojet’s Philippine representative, First CP Hangar Corp., last December.

“We will now have another MRO facility that will provide services to various types of aircraft and capacities inside the aviation area of Clark International Airport that would be operated by Metrojet, and this will create employment and business opportunities for the Filipino people,” Luciano said.

Metrojet, which operates a fleet of private jets affordable for charter, invested an initial P175 million in the project.

Metrojet is expected to eventually invest a total of P1.75 billion in the facility.

“Metrojet’s decision to locate in Clark is another significant milestone for Clark, coming on the heels of our recent inaugurals of new international and domestic flights from Clark,” Luciano said.

Metrojet’s hangar is the third MRO facility to open in the country.

The first was Lufthansa Technik Philippines’ facility at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. Lufthansa Technik is a joint venture between Philippine Airlines (PAL) affiliate MacroAsia Corp. and Germany’s Lufthansa group.

The second was Singapore Engineering Philippines, Clark’s first MRO locator, which caters to wide-bodied aircraft.

Metrojet is part of the Kadoorie Group, which owns China Light and Power Co. and the Peninsula Hotel Chain.

It will offer a range of services such as aircraft charter, comprehensive aircraft management, maintenance, co-ownership programs, aircraft acquisition and sales. The aviation firm’s proposed heavy maintenance for Clark will also include avionics upgrade and exterior paint work for aircraft.

The Clark International Airport hosts several budget and legacy carriers with domestic and international flights, mostly to Asian destinations.

The airport has 300 aircraft takeoffs and landings weekly due to the additional flights by Air Asia Philippines, Airphil Express and, most recently, Dragonair.

Other carriers operating at Clark Airport include Cebu Pacific Air, South East Asian Airlnes (Seair), Asiana Airlines and Jin Air.