An airplane is under maintenance. [Photo/TEXL]

As an important "one-stop" aviation maintenance base in China, Xiamen's aviation maintenance industry has seen rapid development this year.

Data shows that in the first quarter of this year, Xiamen Customs supervised a total of 106 inbound and outbound aircraft maintenance activities, maintaining its position as the top city in the country. 

The turnover of aviation materials in bonded warehouses reached 9.33 billion yuan ($1.29 billion), a year-on-year increase of 56.44 percent, indicating a strong start for the aviation maintenance industry.

Xiamen was one of the first regions in China to develop an aviation maintenance industry. It has established a comprehensive aviation maintenance industry framework, which covers the highest level of maintenance services, all commercial types, and import and export models. It stands as a model for the industry and holds a leading position in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

According to statistics from the Xiamen Free Trade Zone, there are currently 16 aviation maintenance-related enterprises in the area, with 10 considered major enterprises. Among them, the annual inbound aircraft maintenance volume, the import and export value of aviation bonded maintenance outside the area, and third-party maintenance income all rank first in the country. 

In order to promote the high-quality development of the aviation maintenance industry, Xiamen has taken the initiative to conduct in-depth research within enterprises and has developed standardized regulatory processes for new forms of maintenance. This has resulted in a 60 percent reduction in the time required for cross-departmental approval processes.