Since its launch in 2022, the one-stop aircraft maintenance base in the Hainan Free Trade Port has serviced more than 2,300 aircraft, according to company officials. The facility has also performed full-body painting for more than 270 planes and repaired 58,000 aviation components, establishing itself as a key driver for the local aviation industry.

The base leverages policy advantages, including exemptions from import duty bonds for inbound aircraft repairs, flexible customs rules, and tax benefits on key parts, to lower costs and turnaround times for international clients. It has handled heavy maintenance and painting for more than 100 aircraft from over 20 overseas carriers, including Qatar Airways and Iberia Airlines.

"We're seeing a lot of loyal customers return, and many new clients are coming in as well," Yuan Yong, secretary of the Party Committee of Grand China Aviation Maintenance Co, a unit of Hainan Airlines Aviation Technic Co, said. He said the base's integrated service model, which allows for repairs and painting at a single location, avoids substantial ferry flight costs and improves efficiency.

Industry officials say the sector is gaining momentum as Hainan progresses toward an island-wide special customs operations. "By building a complete maintenance ecosystem, we attract more planes to come to the Hainan Free Trade Port for service. This, in turn, encourages airlines to open new routes here," Wang Haiye, chairman and general manager at Haikou Airport Aircraft Engineering Co, said.

In the high-end engine maintenance segment, Haikou Meilan Airport Genius Aero Engine Maintenance Engineering Co has secured licenses from the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the US Federal Aviation Administration, and joined GE Aviation's global network. The company has a team of 220 employees and has handled 26 engine repair projects to date.

"It usually takes 120 to 150 days to repair an aircraft. This year, our target is to repair 15 engines, and we plan to double that number to 30 next year," Wu Dongyang, president of the Haikou Engine Service Co, said. The facility aims to eventually service 60 engines annually, with an expected output value exceeding 3 billion yuan ($420 million).

Ma Mengmeng contributed to the story.