The Hong Kong Business Aviation Center (HKBAC) Ltd announced yesterday the opening of its brand new Hangar 2 at the ongoing 14th Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress.

Present at the opening ceremony were Financial Secretary of Hong Kong John Tsang, Director-General of Hong Kong Civil Aviation Norman Lo, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Airport Authority Stanley Hui and some other guests.

Having over 3,800 square meters of floor space, the 100-million-HK dollar (about US$12.8 million) new hangaris large enough to accommodate an Airbus ACJ or a Boeing BBJ private jet.

Besides, the new facility was designed to use as much natural light as possible to save energy and it meets the highest safety standards with infrared heat detectors.

According to the figure given by HKBAC, there is a rapid rise in the number of aircraft movements at the HKBAC from 981 in year 2000 to 2,853 in 2006, representing a compounded growth rate of 19.5 percent per annum.

Speaking at the ceremony, Tsang said that since its inception, the HKBAC has played an important role in meeting the traveling needs of senior business executives.

With the second hangar in place, the HKBAC will be best placed to compete and respond to the growth in market needs, he added.

The HKBAC is the only business aviation support facility in Hong Kong for those who own, operate or charter private aircraft.

The 14th Asian Aerospace Expo will be staged from Sept. 3 to 6 at Asia World-Expo complex in Hong Kong, in adjacent of the Hong Kong International Airport.

The expo aims to create a platform for optimum business, trading, networking and educational opportunities with major Asia-Pacific aviation buyers.