The Aircraft Engineering Training Centre is launched.
The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy (HKIAA) is collaborating with a French aeronautical services company to establish the city’s first aircraft engineering training center, with courses set to begin in the first quarter of 2026.
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Speaking at the launch ceremony on Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the center marks a significant step in promoting Hong Kong as a leading aircraft recycling and parts-trading hub in Asia.
By partnering with Elior Group, a subsidiary of the Derichebourg Group with international expertise in aircraft engineering, dismantling, and high-value parts management, the center is expected to help build a “flourishing regional service supply chain” covering the full aviation life cycle.
“Building on this robust aviation foundation, we are now focusing on making Hong Kong a leading aircraft recycling and parts-trading hub in the region. This will create jobs. They will be high-value jobs, better-paid and high-skill jobs,” Lee said.
He added that achieving this goal would also drive the development of related industries, including trade, insurance, finance, and leasing, generating more job opportunities and long-term economic benefits for Hong Kong.
HKIAA earlier signed a memorandum of understanding with Elior Group to strengthen collaboration on the initiative.
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Elior Group Chairman and Chief Executive Daniel Derichebourg said the company chose Hong Kong as the starting point for its expansion in Asia for three main reasons: the city’s strategic location, its strong business environment, and its close ties with mainland China.
He said the training center would help nurture skilled professionals equipped with the necessary expertise to support the aviation industry.
Airport Authority chief executive officer and HKIAA chairman Vivian Cheung Kar-fay welcomed Elior Group to Hong Kong International Airport and thanked the Chief Executive and the government for their support.
She stated that the Airport Authority’s mission extends beyond logistics to acting as an economic engine for Hong Kong. This partnership exemplifies the Authority's commitment to achieving its vision through collaboration.
The center will offer programs in aircraft engineering, maintenance, and airworthiness management, and is scheduled to launch its first “cabin integrator course” in the first quarter of next year.
It is currently based at the China Aircraft Services hangar at Hong Kong International Airport, where a decommissioned Airbus A319 fuselage will be used for hands-on training.
HKIAA President Simon Li Tin-chui said the initial course will combine classroom learning with practical training, allowing students to practice disassembly and installation using real aircraft parts to enhance their skills.
The center plans to introduce related extension courses in the second half of 2026, with a target of enrolling 300 students in its first two years and expanding to 1,000 students by 2028.
Li said initial enrollment will focus on local working professionals, with later stages targeting students from mainland China and Belt and Road countries. He added that local aircraft maintenance companies are expected to participate actively in the training program.
A trial class was held last week, during which instructors from France trained local mechanics, Li said.
Citing Boeing forecasts, Li said the global aviation industry is expected to see strong demand for maintenance technicians over the next two decades, expressing hope that the new center will attract more young people in Hong Kong to join the sector.
