Deer Jet signs with Gulfstream Aerospace to increase fleet

Deer Jet is China’s largest business-jet charter operator and owns three Gulfstream G550s, two Gulfstream GVs, four Gulfstream GIVs and four Gulfstream G200s.

Under the new agreement, Gulfstream will expand its support network in mainland China to provide Deer Jet with a maintenance support team that includes a maintenance technician, avionics technician and quality-control specialist.

"The business-jet market in China is expanding rapidly, and we are committed to staying ahead of that growth with an expanding product support infrastructure," said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream Product Support.

"This agreement ensures Deer Jet receives the award-winning product support Gulfstream is known for and that Deer Jet can continue to pursue growth opportunities in Asia."

The growing presence of Gulfstream in China also includes the creation of three positions in the region: a product support regional program director, an international distribution manager for parts and materials and a field service representative.

According to published reports, China’s private-jet market is expected to grow by a world-leading rate of 15.6 percent from 2009 to 2018.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Hainan Airlines Group, 16-year-old Deer Jet grew by 32 percent in 2009 and is projected to grow by 60 percent in 2010. About 30 private jets are currently registered to operate on China’s mainland.

Including its in-service Gulfstream aircraft, Deer Jet operates 23 corporate jets, three of which are owned by private customers. This year, Deer Jet plans to expand the fleet by at least 10 new jets, all of them owned by private customers.