Deer Jet: First Chinese Business Jet Operator to Attain ARGUS Platinum Rating

BEIJING, Aug. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Deer Jet Co., Ltd held an awarding ceremony at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on August 16, 2011, to celebrate the airline attaining the ARGUS Platinum Rating. Deer Jet is the first and only Chinese business jet operator to simultaneously receive the ARGUS Platinum Rating and complete the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) registration audit, representing a milestone in China's business aviation industry. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110816/CN52046 )

Officials from the CAAC (Civil Aviation Administration of China), leaders from HNA Group, HNA Tourism and Deer Jet, as well as senior executives from the world's leading business jet manufacturers including Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream, Dassault, Bombardier and Embraer attended the exceptionally grand occasion. Leaders from Deer Jet's management and charter clients in Beijing as well as nearly a hundred media representatives were also present at the awarding ceremony, a great event in China's business aviation industry. Volkswagen Phaeton, as one of the partners, provided guests with cars for use during the event.

HNA Tourism Group Chairman Liu Jiaxu addressed the event. "HNA has been placing high hopes on Deer Jet, an important operation of our group," said Liu Jiaxu. "Deer Jet is the first business jet operator in China to receive the ARGUS Platinum Rating and complete the IS-BAO audit, marking that its services take the lead in meeting the highest international standards. This is not only an honor to HNA Group, but also an honor to China's business jet and civil aviation sectors."

Leaders from the International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) and the US headquarters of ARGUS presented the certification to Deer Jet at the awarding ceremony. Deer Jet Chairman Liu Kaihong accepted the award and delivered his acceptance speech. "In recent years, Deer Jet received numerous industry awards for its improved brand image and service quality. In 2010, Deer Jet was named the Business Aviation Operator Most Favored by Wealthy Chinese and Asia's Best Business Aviation Brand, setting a benchmark for the branding of China's business aviation companies; in May 2011, we successfully introduced the country's first Airbus ACJ luxury business jet, providing a better travel platform for high-end group customers; on June 29, 2011, we officially opened the largest business jet hangar in China; the Platinum Rating certification indicates that Deer Jet has officially evolved into a world-class business aviation company and brand," said Liu Kaihong.

"The recognition is not the end, but only the beginning of Deer Jet's pursuit of high quality and safe operation consistent with international standards. We will take this opportunity to continue our innovation, in a move to help HNA Group realize its goal of becoming a great, world-class enterprise," Liu Kaihong concluded.

According to industry insiders, IS-BAO was developed by IBAC based on relevant standards, with Safety Management System (SMS) being the core, to enhance the standardized management of business jets as well as improve the safety and quality of operation. Following years of revisions and enhancements since it obtained approval from IBAC in December 2001, the IS-BAO standard has now been recognized by the US and European countries where the business aviation market has been well developed.

As the world's only international audit organization for business jets that has been authorized by both the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and IBAC and has developed its own independent audit standards, ARGUS establishes a business rating standard widely used for the auditing of business jets, which includes Gold Rating and Platinum Rating. The Platinum Rating, which has been awarded to Deer Jet, is the highest level of ARGUS ratings.

Deer Jet has been awarded with the ARGUS Platinum Rating and passed their IS-BAO audit, marking that Deer Jet, and even the Chinese business jet operator community have successfully established their international presence. It is a further important step for the domestic business jet market towards internationalization.  

HNA Group has started the formation of Deer Jet Group as a world-class business jet brand in compliance with international standards. With the expected unconventional and rapid development, HNA Group is committed to enabling the professional and collectivized management of existing business jet operations to address the demands of business jet customers.  

SOURCE HNA Group