Exclusive | ‘Aircraft processing plant planned for Hong Kong’s Northern Metropolis, airport’

First-of-its-kind facility in Asia expected to generate thousands of jobs and open up a lucrative industry in the city

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An estimated 400 to 450 aircraft are dismantled and recycled each year. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:30am, 7 Mar 2025Updated: 3:12pm, 7 Mar 2025

Corrected [2:56pm, 7 Mar, 2025]

[2:56pm, 7 Mar, 2025]
This story has been updated after the source corrected an earlier comment about who would reveal details of the plan. Hong Kong authorities will reveal the details, not Paul Chan. The source also updated information about the airport being one of the locations.

A leading French aeronautic services company plans to set up an aircraft parts processing and trading centre at Hong Kong’s airport and the Northern Metropolis, which will generate thousands of jobs and open up a lucrative industry as the first of its kind in Asia, the Post has learned.

A source said on Friday that authorities would explain the details about setting up the facility and its partnership with the French service provider at a later date. The unveiling of further information had originally been slated for next week.

The deal underlines Hong Kong’s new role as stipulated by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in the central government’s annual work report on Wednesday that the city should deepen international exchanges and cooperation to help the country further open up amid rising US-China rivalry.

In his budget address last week, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po revealed plans to develop Hong Kong as Asia’s first aircraft parts processing and trading centre.

He said Hong Kong’s Airport Authority had signed a memorandum of understanding with a leading overseas professional aeronautic services company to explore the possibility of providing professional services such as aircraft dismantling, parts recycling and related training in the city.

On Monday, Chan revealed in the Post’s “Redefining Hong Kong” forum that it was a leading French aerospace company.