A French aeronautical services company planning to set up Hong Kong’s first aircraft dismantling business has called on the government to support the new industry with measures such as tax breaks, as it launched its training programme for local technicians.
The Elior Group, a subsidiary of the Derichebourg Group, expressed optimism that it would be able to secure the land required for aircraft dismantling, parts storage, processing and recycling in Hong Kong by the third quarter of next year.
Chairman and CEO Daniel Derichebourg told the Post that training local talent was a major aspect of the entire project, with safety a top priority.
“If you think safety is expensive, try accidents,” he said.
The aircraft dismantling project follows
the signing of an accord with the government in March to set up the company’s Asia headquarters in the city.
Derichebourg was speaking ahead of the launch on Thursday of the Aircraft Engineering Training Centre, in partnership with the Airport Authority’s Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, to train local staff. The centre is currently based at the China Aircraft Services hangar at the airport, but the company has plans to eventually set up its own facility in the city.