The aviation maintenance base. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]

A CFM56-5B aircraft engine underwent meticulous inspection and maintenance by skilled technicians in Xiamen on April 21. Customs officers from Xiamen Airport also supervised the imported tools and bonded materials needed for the necessary repair work. This is just a snapshot of the bustling activity in Xiamen's aviation maintenance industry.

In the first quarter, the total revenue of Xiamen's aviation maintenance hub reached 4.99 billion yuan ($731.5 million), a year-on-year increase of 23.4 percent. Meanwhile, 29 aircraft engines from overseas were repaired and delivered in Xiamen, up 20.83 percent from the same period last year.

ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen) Co Ltd, a major maintenance hub in Xiamen Aviation Industrial Zone, focuses on CFM56 series engine maintenance, overhaul, and support. It holds multiple international certifications. 

The company's head said that after adding Airbus A320 engine maintenance last year, its capabilities now cover the full range of engines for mainstream narrow-body aircraft — from Boeing 737 to Airbus A320 models. 

This has helped the company win more international orders this year. In the first quarter, it delivered seven engine units, up 16.67 percent year-on-year. Its order book is full through the first half of this year.

As China's largest third-party aviation maintenance hub, Xiamen has pioneered bonded maintenance outside comprehensive bonded zones and introduced the nation's first integrated regulatory model for aviation repairs.