CALC’s MRO business ushers in new stage of development with Integration of facilities into Harbin Taiping International Airport Flight Zone

(4 April 12022, Hong Kong and Harbin) - China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited ("CALC" or the "Company", together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"; HKEx stock code: 01848) announced that FL ARI Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering Company Ltd (“FL ARI”), a joint venture with leading European aircraft maintenance and overhaul (MRO) service provider FL Technics, has completed its first base maintenance activity on an Airbus A320 aircraft earlier, following the integration of CALC’s recycling facility (China Aircraft Recycling Remanufacturing Base) into the Harbin Taiping International Airport Flight Zone. Prior to this, FL ARI had performed line maintenance services for more than 1,500 flights for many renowned Chinese domestic airlines, ensuring safety of flights with high-quality engineering services.

Meanwhile, FL ARI has successfully obtained approval by CAAC Northeast Regional Administration for extended base maintenance capabilities. On top of the approval for its base maintenance certificate for A320 series aircraft, FL ARI was granted base maintenance approval for B737NG series aircraft.

Mr. Mike Poon, Chief Executive Officer of CALC, said, "The aftermarket business of CALC is a key pillar of the Group's sustainable development strategy and the core of its efforts in developing a green asset management and low-carbon aviation circular economy business model throughout the aircraft lifecycle. With support and guidance from industry supervisory authorities and Heilongjiang Airport Management Group, the Harbin base completed works relating to integration into the restricted flight zone of Harbin Taiping International Airport as scheduled, built and improved air control and maintenance systems in accordance with regulations and standards for construction of civil aviation airports. This has established a firm footing for development of various businesses for the Harbin base, representing a critical step in the MRO business development for the Group. FL ARI has become one of the few MRO companies having their own hangars and aprons within flight zones in China. The new approval granted by CAAC is not only a great improvement of FL ARI’s maintenance capabilities but also an important milestone in expanding our aircraft maintenance business."

Mr. Donatas Dockus, CEO of FL ARI, said: “For a while now FL ARI has been providing professional line maintenance services to a number of Chinese airlines. Adding base maintenance to our capabilities opens new prospects for our company and our clients. It has been an exciting time for us, as we have recently completed our first A320 base maintenance project and now the team has shown their expertise by receiving Part-145 base maintenance approval for the Boeing B737NG aircraft family. It is a valuable addition to our capabilities that will allow FL ARI to continue on the successful development path. I have no doubts that our clients will be delighted with the new services we can now offer and that base maintenance will become an important part of our business.”

Established in 2018, FL ARI is the first independent MRO service provider in Northeast China to provide MRO services for domestic and Asian narrow-body aircraft. The company focuses on aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly and recycling, and engineering service consulting. Over the years, FLARI has obtained a number of approvals, including CAAC Part-145 line and base maintenance license, EASA Part 145 line maintenance certification. It is also the first maintenance service provider with aircraft disassembly qualification approved under CCAR Part 145 of the Civil Aviation Administration of China. With the newly added Part-145 base maintenance approval for Boeing 737NG, FL ARI is on the way to strengthening its position as an undeniably important Chinese MRO market player.