On Oct. 8, 2007, Shanghai Technologies Aerospace Company Limited (STARCO) held the groundbreaking ceremony for its new hangar at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The ceremony was honored by Chairman of China Eastern Airlines Mr. Li Feng Hua, Chairman of ST Aerospace Mr. Tan Guong Ching, Chairman of STARCO Mr. Li Yang Ming and Deputy Chairman of STARCO and President of ST Aerospace Mr. Tay Kok Khiang, as well as CAAC, Shanghai City officials.

STARCO's new Pudong hangar has a width of 160m, depth 105m, height 43m, occupying a land of about 14,200 sq m. The Apron area is about 16000 sq m. The hangar is capable to have two Boeing 747-400 aircraft simultaneously, together with 3 other narrow body aircraft. It is also A380 capable.

The construction of the new hangar is expected to complete by mid 2009. It will be able to undertake two wide body aircraft heavy maintenance at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The aircraft type covers most of the Boeing and Airbus aircraft types, including the world's biggest aircraft, A380.

Presently STARCO operates from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport with 2 hangars with the capacity of 2 wide body and 2 narrow body slots. With the completion of Pudong hangar, STARCO's capacity will increase to 4 wide body and 5 narrow body hangar slots. It will be the only MRO that offers quality heavy maintenance services from both Hongqiao and Pudong airport.

Photograph 1: Chairman of China Eastern Airlines Mr. Li Feng Hua at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Photograph 2: Chairman of STARCO Mr. Li Yang Ming at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Photograph 3: Deputy Chairman of STARCO and President of ST Aerospace Mr. Tay Kok Khiang at the groundbreaking ceremony.