NetJets Begins China Operations

NetJets has planned since at least 2012 to expand into mainland China. Now it can do so because that country’s Civil Aviation Administration has granted a certificate that allows the company to operate charter flights within its borders. This means NetJets can pick up and drop off customers inside China instead of just transporting them between China and other nations. NetJets—which has a pair of charter-ready Hawker 800s stationed in Zhuhai—is the first international aircraft operator to earn this right. 

“We hope to follow that [charter service] up shortly with a full management program similar to the one run by our sister unit, Executive Jet Management, in the United States and in Europe,” says NetJets chairman and CEO Jordan Hansell. “At some juncture, we hope to offer fractional flying in China. It’s our view at the moment that a true fractional experience is probably a bit premature.”

NetJets operates in China as NetJets Business Aviation Ltd., which is a partnership between the U.S. company, Hony Jinsi Investment Management (Beijing) Limited and Fung Investments. The charter and management service will operate under the name Executive Jet Management China.