Canada's CAE forms joint venture with Guangdong Aerocity for flight simulators

Canadian company CAE, which is engaged in training for the civil aviation, defense and security, and healthcare sectors, will invest in a flight training and simulator components center near Guangzhou's airport.

CAE will hold a majority stake in the joint venture with Guangdong Aerocity Holdings Co, said Luo Bin, vice-president of Guangdong Aerocity.

With an investment of 2 billion yuan ($288.75 million) and floor space of 80,000 square meters in the Guangzhou Baiyun Airhub Bonded Area, the project is expected to have 20 simulators, he said, adding that China's robust aviation market has created strong demand for pilots.

Targeting the Asia-Pacific market, the training center is expected to go into operation in about two years, providing training courses for A320 and B737 aircraft pilots at the start.

The project was officially launched after the agreement signing ceremony on Tuesday at the Guangzhou Aerotropolis Development District.

Beijing Moreget Innovation Technology Inc will invest 2 billion yuan to build flight simulator manufacturing and flight training facilities.

Guangzhou-based Goldjet International Logistics Co likewise plans to build a logistics hub for cross-border e-commerce business.

The 700 million yuan hub will facilitate the supply chain along which international cargo is delivered to Hong Kong, shipped to Guangzhou and distributed to other domestic and international destinations, said Zheng Yongjia, deputy general manager of the company.

The hub promises to increase e-commerce business at the airport by up to 50 billion yuan, he said.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport has led Chinese airports in cross-border e-commerce for five years, facilitating 8 billion yuan of business last year.

Separately, e-commerce giant Suning plans to invest 1 billion yuan in a cross-border e-commerce hub. Hong Kong King Wai Group will establish a 2 billion yuan international merchandise exchange and exhibition center.

Guangzhou-based low-budget airline 9Air will invest 2 billion yuan in an aircraft component manufacturing and aircraft maintenance complex.

Linking up over 210 destinations with more than 300 air routes, Guangzhou's airport ranks as the 13th and 17th globally in passenger and cargo throughput respectively and stands as one of the three airport hubs in the country.

Guangzhou Aerotropolis Development District has fostered six sectors as pillars. They are aircraft maintenance, air logistics, cross-border e-commerce, general aviation, aircraft leasing and aviation company headquarters, said Sun Xiuqing, director of the administrative committee of the district.