Joe Reckling • Jet Aviation

Jet Aviation’s acquisition of Hawker Pacific’s Asia-Pacific FBO and MRO network marked a major expansion for the General Dynamics company. Joe Reckling has been appointed SVP Regional Operations, APAC, to oversee and develop the area

Jet Aviation completed its acquisition of Hawker Pacific last May, in the process adding seven FBOs and 14 MROs across 19 Middle East and Asia-Pacific locations, along with more than 800 employees, to its roster. Although work continues to integrate the new assets, in February Jet Aviation announced that rebranding of the former Hawker Pacific FBOs was complete.

Affecting individual facilities at Cairns, Darwin, Perth and Sydney, plus two at Brisbane, the change aligns the Australian FBOs with Jet Aviation’s 27 existing sites across America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, enabling them to better compete in the global market, according to Joe Reckling, Senior Vice President Regional Operations, Asia-Pacific (APAC), who emphasised: “The Australian FBOs have a history of strong performance and will continue delivering exceptional customer service under the Jet Aviation brand.”

Jet Aviation’s ambition for its new acquisitions goes beyond rebranding, however. To help capture the value of Hawker Pacific and support its vision, Jet Aviation has formed a new Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, appointing Reckling to manage it. Reporting directly to Jet Aviation President, Rob Smith, he oversees the company’s business activities throughout the region and the ongoing operations of the Hawker Pacific business; the new APC region has 21 locations and more than 1,100 employees.

Looking again at the Australian FBOs, Brisbane has two under the Jet Aviation brand. Competition within the company makes little sense, but Reckling confirms: “…both will remain strong under the Jet Aviation brand and continue to operate in synergy. The Brisbane FBO and Brisbane Jet Base offer customers baggage handling, hotel and catering coordination, fuel arrangements, ramp and hangar parking. With customs, immigration and quarantine clearances on site, we also offer executive and crew transportation, wireless internet and concierge services to ensure everything is taken care of.

“The two locations therefore offer the same capabilities and service, but they are uniquely positioned on the airport to cater to differing customer requirements. The Jet Base is located in a high-traffic, high-demand area close to the domestic terminal and a future runway expansion. It offers customers a quicker transition into other airport amenities and utilities, while the second location is in a more secluded and private area. It caters for travellers who particularly value privacy and have additional security requirements.”

Further enhancing the Australian network, the FBOs in Brisbane, Cairns, Perth and Sydney belong to the Air Elite Network. US-based Air Elite applies its accreditation to a global network of FBOs, guaranteeing quality facilities and service standards. Reckling notes: “Darwin is a new facility and currently undergoing review to join the Air Elite network, while the benefits and standards associated with being part of the Air Elite network will continue to be upheld at our other locations.”

Asia
Delving further into Jet Aviation’s APAC region, Reckling emphasises: “We are now in a position to further expand our portfolio, enter new markets across Asia-Pacific, and offer more options and value to our customers worldwide. Hawker Pacific as a Jet Aviation company will continue to look at opportunities where we can offer a viable solution or service for our customers.”

Jet Aviation’s coverage has also extended in China and Singapore. Like Brisbane, Shanghai has two Jet Aviation FBOs, catering for traffic growth at both Hongqiao Airport and Pudong Airport, according to Reckling but, unlike the Australian facilities, they retain Hawker Pacific titles. “We have not yet announced any rebranding in China, since our presence in Shanghai is a joint venture and we are currently discussing the best way forward with our partner. Shanghai Hawker Pacific Business Aviation Service Centre [SHPBAC] is a joint venture between Shanghai Airport Authority and Hawker Pacific.”

In Hong Kong, Jet Aviation offers MRO, with particular emphasis on Bombardier, Falcon and Gulfstream, while in Singapore it offers an impressive mix of both. “Our facility at Seletar Airport has been providing maintenance, refurbishment and AOG services since 1995, and we offer FBO services at both Seletar and Changi Airports. Jet Aviation has successfully built a reputation for delivering premium maintenance services in Singapore.

“With the integration of the Hawker Pacific facilities in Singapore, we now occupy a total hangar space of 17,915m2 (192,835sqft), making Jet Aviation Singapore the second largest facility within Jet Aviation’s global network. It offers six maintenance hangars, 2 parking hangars, a paint hangar, a cabin interior workshop, customer lounges and other services. Clients using the facility benefit from our local skills and experience, and our global aviation services network, which supports them worldwide.

“We’ve been operating in Singapore since 1996, and our experienced technicians provide support for Airbus, Beechcraft, Boeing, Bombardier, TBM, Falcon, Embraer and Gulfstream aircraft. We’re also a Factory Authorized Service Center and Warranty Repair Facility for Boeing Business Jets, DAHER-SOCATA, Dassault, Embraer and Gulfstream. Singapore also has a dedicated AOG staff and holds EASA 145.0461, FAA J8MY465N, CASA, Bermuda CAA, Cayman Islands CAA, CAAC, Guernsey (DCA), Hong Kong CAD, India DGCA, Indonesia DGCA, Korea MOLIT, Macau AACM, Malaysia CAA, CAAP, CAAS, CAAT, ROC CAA and Vietnam CAA maintenance approvals. Beyond maintenance, repair, overhaul, retrofit, painting, modification and upgrade services, we also offer aircraft sales, spares distribution, FBO and aircraft handling services.”

Almost a year on from its Hawker Pacific acquisition, Jet Aviation has rebranded its Australian FBOs and consolidated its service offering. Reckling confidently declares: “Now we’re in a position to further expand our portfolio, enter new markets across Asia- spokesperson says. Bringing together these two well-established brands has reinforced our position among the world’s leading business aviation service providers.”

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